Ex-University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling charged with first-degree manslaughter by grand jury

Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling, 21, faced a grand jury indictment for first-degree manslaughter following the tragic death of her newborn son in August. The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the baby was born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means, as reported by WKYT.

Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird confirmed that the grand jury deliberated and decided on the first-degree manslaughter charge for Snelling. Initially, she was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Snelling pleaded not guilty to these charges and has been under house arrest at her family home in Tennessee.

After her arrest, Snelling withdrew from the University of Kentucky and is no longer a member of the STUNT team. If found guilty, she could face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the first-degree manslaughter charge and an additional 11 years for the remaining charges.

The incident occurred on August 27 when Snelling gave birth to a baby boy in her off-campus house in Lexington. Her roommates, who suspected she was concealing a pregnancy, heard unusual noises coming from her room in the early morning. Following the birth, Snelling allegedly cleaned up the scene, showered, and left the house, skipping classes and a visit to the school clinic to go to McDonald’s.

Upon returning home, her roommates discovered evidence of childbirth and found the newborn in a closet, cold to the touch. They called 911, leading to Snelling’s arrest by the police. Initially, she claimed the baby fell to the floor after birth and thought he was not breathing. However, she later admitted to medical staff that the baby showed signs of life, including movement and a whimper.

Snelling also confessed to taking photos during labor but deleted them to hide the birth. Investigators suspect that other incriminating images were destroyed before her arrest. The case has shocked the community and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the newborn’s death.