Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling has been indicted on first-degree manslaughter charges after her newborn son was found dead in a closet. The baby was born alive but died from asphyxia, according to the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office.
Key Takeaways
Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling has been indicted on first-degree manslaughter charges after her newborn son was found dead in a closet. The baby was born alive but died from asphyxia.
- Former UK cheerleader Laken Snelling now faces manslaughter charge
- Newborn found dead in closet, wrapped in plastic bag
- Baby's cause of death determined to be asphyxia by undetermined means
- Snelling initially claimed newborn was stillborn
- Snelling re-arrested and released on $10,000 bail
The 21-year-old Snelling was initially charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She pleaded not guilty to those charges and has been on house arrest at her family home in Tennessee since October. Following her arrest, she withdrew from the University of Kentucky and left the school's cheerleading team.
Snelling now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted on the manslaughter charge, along with an additional 11 years for the remaining charges. Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird stated that the medical examiner's report was key to securing the grand jury indictment.
In August 2025, Snelling gave birth to a baby boy in her off-campus bedroom. Her roommates discovered the newborn dead in a blood-soaked towel on the floor of her closet, wrapped in a plastic bag. They reported that the infant was 'cold to the touch.'
Snelling initially claimed the newborn was stillborn and did not believe he was 'breathing or alive.' She later admitted to passing out on top of the baby and waking up to find him 'turning blue and purple.' Court documents revealed that Snelling told investigators she wrapped her newborn up 'like a burrito' for comfort.
Police found evidence that Snelling had deleted labor photos and other information related to her pregnancy from her phone. Investigators believe she attempted to hide the birth by deleting these images. It remains unclear whether Snelling informed anyone about her pregnancy, although footage shows her performing with a visible pregnancy bump in April.
Snelling's case has drawn significant attention due to its grim details and the high-profile nature of her background as a university athlete. The legal proceedings are expected to continue within the next few weeks.
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