LEXINGTON, Kentucky, October 16, 2026 — Laken Snelling, a 22-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of her newborn son, whose body was discovered inside a closet at her off-campus home in August 2025.
Ex-Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Snelling, Who Said ‘I Ended His Life’ After Baby Was Found in Closet, Is Sentenced https://t.co/8ka3OUgQJG
— People (@people) October 16, 2026
The sentence was handed down in Fayette Circuit Court, more than a year after Snelling’s roommates discovered the baby wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag. Medical examiners determined that the infant had been born alive and died from oxygen deprivation.
The sentencing also brought emotional statements from the child’s family, who described the birthdays and childhood memories they would never share with him.
Laken Snelling Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence
Snelling pleaded guilty to four charges: first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.
Prosecutors had recommended prison terms totaling 13 years across the charges. However, the judge imposed an overall 10-year sentence.
According to WKYT’s October 16 court report, Snelling admitted responsibility for her son’s death during an earlier guilty plea hearing.
The case is among several recent high-profile American sentencing proceedings. In a separate Ohio case, Caleb Flynn received life without parole for his wife’s murder following a jury conviction.
Roommates Discovered Newborn Inside Closet
The investigation began on August 27, 2025, at a residence in the 400 block of Park Avenue in Lexington.
Court records show that Snelling’s roommates heard unusual noises coming from her bedroom around 4 a.m. One reported that the disturbance was strong enough to knock a picture from a wall.
Shortly before 9 a.m., Snelling reportedly told her roommates through a Snapchat group conversation that she had passed out and was feeling unwell.
The roommates, who had suspected she might be pregnant, later entered her bedroom and discovered the newborn.
Lexington police responded around 10:30 a.m. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene.
Medical Examiner Confirms Baby Was Born Alive
The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the newborn had been born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means.
Although oxygen deprivation was established as the cause of death, the medical determination did not conclusively identify the precise mechanism.
Snelling initially told investigators she had given birth alone and later discovered the baby unresponsive. Her subsequent guilty plea included an admission that she had deprived her son of oxygen.
Medical findings are also central to other child-death investigations. In Arizona, five-year-old Theo Sabo’s death after being left in a hot car led to negligent homicide and child abuse charges against his parents.
Snelling Admitted Responsibility During Guilty Plea
During an August 21, 2026, hearing, Snelling changed her earlier not-guilty plea and admitted causing her newborn son’s death.
She told the court she had been experiencing emotional stress following an unexpected delivery.
Snelling acknowledged depriving the baby of oxygen rather than seeking help. She also admitted cleaning the scene and concealing evidence connected to the birth.
The guilty plea eliminated the need for a jury trial and allowed the case to proceed to sentencing.
Baby’s Family Shares Emotional Statements
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, the baby’s father and relatives described the lasting impact of his death.
One grandmother recalled that instead of celebrating her grandson’s first birthday, the family had gathered at his grave for a memorial.
She also expressed disappointment over not receiving an apology from Snelling.
Defense attorneys told the court Snelling was deeply saddened, had accepted responsibility and had been attending counseling. She did not personally address the court during sentencing.
Timeline of the Laken Snelling Case
August 27, 2025: Police discovered the newborn at Snelling’s Lexington residence.
August 31, 2025: Snelling was arrested on charges involving the infant’s body and concealment of the birth.
March 10, 2026: A Fayette County grand jury indicted her on first-degree manslaughter and related charges.
August 21, 2026: Snelling pleaded guilty to all four offenses.
October 16, 2026: She received a 10-year prison sentence.
Prison Sentence and Parole Eligibility
Snelling previously competed on the University of Kentucky’s STUNT cheerleading team but withdrew from the university following her arrest.
Published reports differ on her parole eligibility. Some indicate she could qualify after serving 85% of her sentence, approximately eight years and six months, while other sentencing coverage reports that the judge described her as ineligible.
The final sentencing order and Kentucky correctional authorities will determine the applicable release conditions. The prison sentence concludes the central criminal proceedings, while the baby’s family continues to live with his loss.
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