Former UK Cheerleader Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Newborn's Death

Laken Snelling, a 22-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader, entered a guilty plea on Friday to four counts: first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. The plea follows a March grand-jury indictment and an earlier not-guilty plea in April. Police were called to Snelling's Lexington home on August 27, 2025, after roommates heard loud noises and found a blood-soaked towel and a plastic bag containing the newborn in a closet.

Snelling testified she gave birth around 4 a.m., thought the baby was not breathing, and later deprived the infant of oxygen, then wrapped the body in a towel and placed it in a trash bag. Prosecutors have recommended ten years for the manslaughter charge and one year for each of the other offenses, with the judge able to impose concurrent or consecutive sentences. A sentencing hearing is set for October 16.