LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday, Oct. 16, in the death of her newborn son, whose body was found wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag in her off-campus closet more than a year ago. The Fayette Circuit Court sentence closes the criminal case that began with a chilling discovery in August 2025 — but for the families on both sides of the courtroom, the grief is far from over.
TL;DR: Laken Snelling, 22, received a 10-year prison sentence on Oct. 16, 2026, after pleading guilty in August to manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. The medical examiner found her newborn son was born alive and died of asphyxiation. Snelling will be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of her sentence.
“I Ended His Life”: The Guilty Plea
Snelling’s road to sentencing began Aug. 21, when she appeared before Judge Diane Minnifield in Fayette Circuit Court and entered guilty pleas to four charges: manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, according to court records cited by the Louisville Courier Journal.
In that hearing, Snelling spoke publicly about what happened for the first time. According to reporting by WLEX and Court TV, she told the court, through tears, that she had been under severe emotional stress and that the birth had come unexpectedly. She admitted that she deprived the infant of oxygen — saying she ended his life instead of helping him — then cleaned up and told no one.
The infant was discovered Aug. 27, 2025, in the 400 block of Park Avenue in Lexington. Roommates had grown alarmed after finding blood in Snelling’s bedroom and hearing strange sounds coming from the room, and they called police. Officers found the newborn wrapped in a towel and stuffed inside a black trash bag hidden in a closet. The Lexington Police Department said the medical examiner determined the baby had been born alive and that the cause of death was asphyxiation.
What She Told Investigators
According to court documents, Snelling told detectives she gave birth around 4 a.m., the baby fell onto her bedroom floor, and she did not believe he was breathing or alive. She said she passed out for about 30 minutes, then woke at 7:30 a.m., placed the towel-wrapped baby inside a trash bag, and cleaned the blood off herself.
Investigators later searched Snelling’s Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and iCloud accounts. An affidavit says messages with her roommates showed they had all suspected she was pregnant but never confirmed it with her directly.
Snelling was arrested in September 2025. A Fayette County grand jury returned an indictment on March 10, charging her with manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
The Baby’s Family Speaks
The Oct. 16 sentencing hearing brought the first public words from the baby’s father. Izaiah Hall, identified in court as the newborn’s father, addressed the judge before sentencing, according to People.
“I don’t wish the worst on Laken,” Hall said. He added that what happened cannot be changed by him or his family, and that the loss hurt “in a way that’s unexplainable.”
A relative believed to be Hall’s mother spoke of the grandson they would never know — the birthdays, first steps, and first words taken away before he ever had a chance. The family has called the boy Cade, and relatives said they would continue to be a voice for him.
What the Sentence Means
The judge imposed the 10-year term. Prosecutors had sought a decade on the manslaughter count plus one year each for the remaining charges, per the New York Post. Under Kentucky rules, she becomes eligible for parole after serving 85 percent, and is not eligible for probation. A status hearing is set for Nov. 6.
The case drew national attention because of who Snelling was: a 22-year-old college cheerleader who concealed her pregnancy until the morning police arrived — leaving the court to reckon with how she ended up alone in that bedroom, making the choices she made.
Photo: booking photo of Laken Snelling released by the Lexington Police Department, via media coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Laken Snelling sentenced to?
On Oct. 16, 2026, Laken Snelling was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Fayette Circuit Court in Lexington, Kentucky.
What crimes did she plead guilty to?
Snelling pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2026, to manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
How was the baby found?
On Aug. 27, 2025, the newborn was found wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag in a closet at an off-campus residence on Park Avenue in Lexington, after Snelling’s roommates called police.
What was the baby’s cause of death?
The medical examiner determined the baby was born alive and died of asphyxiation.
What did Snelling admit in court?
At her August plea hearing, Snelling admitted the birth was unexpected and that she deprived the infant of oxygen — ending his life — then cleaned up and told no one.
Who is the baby’s father?
The baby’s father was identified in court as Izaiah Hall. He spoke publicly for the first time at the sentencing hearing, saying he did not wish the worst on Snelling.
When will Snelling be eligible for parole?
She will be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of her 10-year sentence, and she is not eligible for probation.
What did prosecutors recommend?
Prosecutors recommended a 10-year prison term on the manslaughter count, plus one year each for the remaining charges.
Who was the judge in the case?
Judge Diane Minnifield of Fayette Circuit Court presided over the plea and sentencing hearings.
Is there anything else scheduled in the case?
Court records show a status hearing scheduled for Nov. 6.
