Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling pleaded guilty Friday morning to manslaughter in the death of her newborn son, whose body was later found inside a trash bag.
Snelling, now 22, had previously pleaded not guilty last April to charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.
Lexington police were called to an off-campus residence on Aug. 27, 2025, after Snelling’s college roommates made the disturbing discovery of the unresponsive baby inside a black plastic bag placed in a closet.
The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined the infant had been born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means. A grand jury later indicted Snelling in March on a first-degree manslaughter charge.
During an interview with investigators, Snelling first said the baby fell to the floor after she gave birth and that she did not believe he was “breathing or alive.”
Police said her account later shifted, with Snelling saying she had passed out “on top of the baby” and woke to find him “turning blue and purple.”
In court this week, Snelling admitted to “ending” the infant’s life “instead of helping him” and acknowledged placing the baby in a plastic bag, according to WKYT.
Prosecutors are recommending a 10-year prison sentence for manslaughter, along with one year each for abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.
