Former Cheerleader Charged with Manslaughter in Newborn Death Case
A former University of Kentucky cheerleader has been indicted on first-degree manslaughter charges after her newborn son was discovered deceased in a closet. Laken Snelling, aged 21, was formally charged by a Fayette County grand jury on Tuesday, following a critical report from the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office.
Medical Examiner's Findings Lead to Indictment
The medical examiner determined that the baby was born alive in August 2025 and died from asphyxia. Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird emphasized that this report was pivotal in securing the grand jury indictment. 'They were given the information about homicide, the four levels of homicide and then deliberated and decided that manslaughter first degree was the charge that should come out of the grand jury,' Baird stated to WKYT.
Discovery of the Newborn and Initial Charges
Snelling first made headlines last year when her newborn was found hidden in a closet at her off-campus apartment, wrapped in a trash bag and a towel. At that time, she faced charges including:
- Abuse of a corpse
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Concealing the birth of an infant
She pleaded not guilty to these initial charges and has been under house arrest at her family home in Tennessee since October. Following her arrest, Snelling withdrew from the University of Kentucky and left the cheerleading team.
Potential Prison Sentence and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
If convicted of first-degree manslaughter, Snelling could face up to 20 years in prison, with an additional 11 years possible for the other charges. Baird noted that Snelling is due back in court within the next three weeks, though a specific date has not been set.
Background and Investigation Details
Snelling was initially charged on August 30, 2025, just three days after giving birth to a baby boy in her bedroom. Her roommates reported to police that they suspected she had been concealing a pregnancy and heard unusual noises from her room during the birth. After delivering the baby, Snelling allegedly cleaned up and left for McDonald's.
Upon returning, her roommates discovered the newborn dead in a blood-soaked towel on the closet floor, wrapped in a plastic bag. One roommate described the infant as 'cold to the touch.' When arrested, Snelling claimed in her first police interview that the baby was already dead at birth, stating she did not believe it was 'breathing or alive' and that she passed out 'on top of the baby.'
Further Evidence and Digital Investigation
Court documents reveal that Snelling told investigators she wrapped the newborn 'like a burrito' and laid next to it for comfort. Police later alleged she admitted to a medical worker that the baby showed 'a little bit of fetal movement' and made a 'whimper' upon birth.
Authorities executed a search warrant on Snelling's phone, accessing her Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and a shared iCloud account. The investigation uncovered internet searches related to pregnancy, images of her during labor, and activities inconsistent with a normal pregnancy. Police noted that items may have been deleted to hide evidence of the pregnancy and birth.
Social Media and Personal Relationships
Snelling posted photos in June with her then-boyfriend, former college basketball star Connor Jordan, 24, where she appeared to conceal her front. Additionally, footage from April shows her performing with UK's STUNT team with what seems to be a pregnancy bump. It remains unclear whether she informed anyone of her pregnancy. Daily Mail reported that Snelling was previously in a relationship with college quarterback Izaiah Hall, who underwent a DNA test to determine paternity.
