Guilty Plea in Manslaughter
Former Kentucky Cheerleader Pleads Guilty to First-Degree Manslaughter of Her Newborn Infant
Key Points
The newborn was found wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag stashed in the off-campus closet, with investigators noting evidence of childbirth in that closet.
The indictment indicates murder charges were not pursued because Snelling was under extreme emotional disturbance at the time, with the case proceeding as first-degree manslaughter among other charges.
Court filings and coverage describe the birth as having occurred on the bedroom floor of Snelling's off-campus Lexington home.
Snelling was arrested on Aug. 31, 2025, after the discovery, and she had been released on a $100,000 bond and was staying with her parents in Tennessee.
Laken Snelling, a 22-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of her newborn son, who was found dead in a trash bag inside a closet of her off-campus Lexington home Daily Mail. The baby was found wrapped in a towel on August 31, 2025, after roommates discovered blood and childbirth evidence in her room Fox News. Snelling admitted in court that she ended the infant's life and concealed the birth, telling the judge she was under extreme emotional distress Head Topics.
The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office ruled the baby died by asphyxia with undetermined means Head Topics. Prosecutors are seeking a combined sentence of approximately 13 years—10 years for manslaughter and one year each for abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth Daily Mail.
How the Baby Was Found and Hidden
Roommates discovered blood and a bag containing childbirth evidence in Snelling's bedroom in late August 2025 Fox News. Inside a black trash bag in the off-campus closet, investigators found the newborn wrapped in a towel. Court filings show the birth occurred on the bedroom floor of her home Daily Mail. Snelling was arrested on August 31, 2025, and a Fayetteville County grand jury indicted her in March.
Why Manslaughter Instead of Murder
Murder charges were not pursued despite the infant's death. The indictment cites extreme emotional disturbance at the time as the reason prosecutors chose to pursue first-degree manslaughter instead Daily Mail. This legal distinction reduces the severity of charges while still holding Snelling accountable for the baby's death.
Snelling's Tearful Admission in Court
In court, Snelling tearfully admitted she ended the baby's life and concealed the birth Head Topics. She told the judge she was under extreme emotional distress and did not tell anyone about the pregnancy or birth Daily Mail. Her guilty plea covered four charges: first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
What Prosecutors Are Seeking
Prosecutors have requested a sentence of approximately 13 years total Daily Mail. This breaks down to 10 years for first-degree manslaughter and one year for each of the three remaining charges Fox News. Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond and has been staying with her parents in Tennessee while awaiting sentencing.
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