University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling, 21, from White Pine, Tennessee, now faces first-degree manslaughter alongside abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing an infant’s birth. This upgrade came after a medical examiner ruled her baby was born alive but died by asphyxiation (undetermined means).
Incident Details
- Discovery: August 28, 2025, Lexington police responded to a 400-block Park Avenue home (near campus) around 10:30 a.m. for an unresponsive infant, pronounced dead on scene.
- Snelling’s Account: She admitted giving birth, claimed the baby wasn’t breathing, then passed out on top of it. She cleaned up evidence, wrapped the infant in a towel inside a black trash bag, and hid it in a closet.
- Grand Jury Decision: Prosecutors presented homicide levels; jurors settled on manslaughter, per Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird.
Current Status
Snelling’s out on bond, but an arrest warrant’s issued for the new charge. She’s no longer on UK Athletics’ competitive cheer team (3 seasons) and has dropped out.
Heartbreaking—highlights risks of hiding pregnancies. Reminds me of secrecy pressures young people face. Thoughts on this, or want similar case comparisons?
