Former Kentucky cheerleader gets 10 years for infant death
Laken Snelling, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for the death of her infant child. The sentence follows her conviction for first-degree manslaughter, according to local media reports. Snelling had been indicted in March for manslaughter and three additional charges before pleading guilty in August. The arrest by the Lexington Police Department occurred in August 2025 after roommates reported loud noises from her closet. Upon arrival, officers found the infant cold and wrapped in a trash bag inside the closet, as stated in a release from the city of Lexington. The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office determined that the infant was born alive and died from asphyxiation. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Diane Minnifield asked Snelling how she ended the child's life. Snelling responded, "I deprived him of oxygen." She told the court through tears that she was under significant emotional stress when the baby arrived unexpectedly. Snelling stated that instead of seeking help, she ended the infant's life and subsequently cleaned up without informing anyone. Court documents indicate that Snelling, who was a senior at the time of the incident, told investigators she was awake for only 30 minutes after giving birth. She claimed to have passed out on top of the baby and woke to find him turning blue and purple. Investigators also noted that Snelling deleted photos of her labor from her phone and removed other evidence of her pregnancy. In addition to manslaughter, Snelling pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Laken Snelling, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for the death of her infant child. The sentence follows her conviction for first-degree manslaughter, according to local media reports. Snelling had been indicted in March for manslaughter and three additional charges before pleading guilty in August. The arrest by the Lexington Police Department occurred in August 2025 after roommates reported loud noises from her closet. Upon arrival, officers found the infant cold and wrapped in a trash bag inside the closet, as stated in a release from the city of Lexington. The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office determined that the infant was born alive and died from asphyxiation. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Diane Minnifield asked Snelling how she ended the child's life. Snelling responded, "I deprived him of oxygen." She told the court through tears that she was under significant emotional stress when the baby arrived unexpectedly. Snelling stated that instead of seeking help, she ended the infant's life and subsequently cleaned up without informing anyone. Court documents indicate that Snelling, who was a senior at the time of the incident, told investigators she was awake for only 30 minutes after giving birth. She claimed to have passed out on top of the baby and woke to find him turning blue and purple. Investigators also noted that Snelling deleted photos of her labor from her phone and removed other evidence of her pregnancy. In addition to manslaughter, Snelling pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.