Former Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Snelling Faces New Manslaughter Charge for Newborn’s Death, Released on Bail

In a disturbing development, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, previously charged with the death of her newborn, was re-arrested on Thursday. However, she was seen freely walking the streets just hours later, after her father secured her release by posting a $10,000 bond, as confirmed by authorities and media outlets.

Twenty-one-year-old Laken Snelling found herself behind bars at the Fayette County Detention Center following a grand jury’s decision to indict her on a fresh charge of first-degree manslaughter related to the tragic demise of her infant son. This information comes from jail records shared by Fox56 and the Lexington Police Department.

According to court documents reviewed by the outlet, Snelling was released on Thursday after her father posted the required bond.

The recent indictment and arrest come on the heels of an earlier incident in late August when Snelling was initially detained after her newborn’s body was discovered. The arrest followed findings from the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office, which concluded that the infant died from “asphyxia by undetermined means,” as stated by police.

Snelling gave birth to the child at approximately 4 a.m. on August 27, 2025, in her off-campus residence in Lexington.

The grisly discovery of the deceased infant, concealed in a black plastic bag within Snelling’s closet, was made by her shocked college roommates.

They also found a “blood-soaked towel on the floor and a plastic bag containing evidence of childbirth” – as well as the infant, who was “cold to the touch,” they told a 911 operator. 

The roommates — who had suspected the cheerleader was concealing a pregnancy — later told cops they’d heard loud, strange noises coming from Snelling’s room around the time she gave birth.

Snelling then allegedly tried to clean up the scene, showered and left the house – skipping morning classes and a visit to the school clinic – and went to McDonald’s. 

She was arrested when she returned home on Aug. 31, 2025 — and was initially charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, which she pleaded not guilty to.

After withdrawing from the University of Kentucky, Snelling has since been living at her family’s Tennessee home under house arrest after posting a $100,000 surety bond.

The ex-cheerleader will be re-arraigned on April 10, according to court records.