Former University of Kentucky cheerleader indicted for manslaughter after newborn found dead is the focus of a criminal case that has drawn attention across Kentucky and beyond. Prosecutors say the evidence suggests a newborn child was born alive before dying hours later in a residence near the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington.
A Fayette County grand jury recently returned an indictment against 21 year old Laken Snelling. The charge of first degree manslaughter follows the results of an autopsy conducted by the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office. Investigators concluded the infant died from asphyxia by undetermined means.
The decision to pursue a manslaughter charge came after jurors reviewed several possible homicide counts. According to Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird, the grand jury weighed the available evidence and concluded that first degree manslaughter was the most appropriate charge under Kentucky law.
The case did not begin with that charge alone. Earlier, Snelling had already faced accusations of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She pleaded not guilty to those counts. At the time, she had been placed under house arrest at her family’s home in Tennessee while the investigation continued.
Snelling had previously been a member of the University of Kentucky STUNT cheer team, a competitive discipline that blends cheerleading and acrobatic routines. Following her arrest, she withdrew from the university and is no longer associated with the program.
Authorities say the events at the center of the case began during the early morning hours of August 27 at an off campus residence in Lexington, Kentucky. Police reports state that Snelling gave birth to a baby boy around 4 a.m.
Roommates in the house later told investigators they had suspected for some time that Snelling might have been hiding a pregnancy. During the early morning hours they reportedly heard unusual sounds coming from her bedroom.
Investigators believe that after the birth took place, Snelling cleaned blood from parts of the room, took a shower, and left the residence without seeking medical assistance.
While she was away, roommates entered the room. According to statements given to police, they found blood stained items and other materials that suggested a recent childbirth. During their search they discovered a black plastic bag in a closet.
Inside the bag was the newborn child.
The roommates contacted emergency services immediately. In the call to the operator they reported that the baby appeared cold to the touch.
When officers from the Lexington Police Department arrived at the residence, the baby had already been discovered by the roommates. Authorities secured the scene while awaiting medical examination and further investigation.
Snelling returned to the house shortly afterward. Officers were waiting for her and took her into custody for questioning.
During interviews with investigators, Snelling provided several explanations about what happened during the birth. According to police records, she first told investigators that the baby fell to the floor during delivery and that she believed the infant was not breathing.
She later told investigators she may have passed out during the process and regained consciousness while lying on top of the baby. When she woke up, she said the infant appeared blue and purple.
Court documents also say Snelling admitted wrapping the baby in a towel and lying beside him afterward because it gave her comfort.
The medical examination became a critical part of the investigation.
Former University of Kentucky Cheerleader Indicted for Manslaughter After Newborn Found Dead
The autopsy determined that the infant had been born alive. That finding shifted the legal direction of the case. Investigators also noted that Snelling reportedly told medical personnel the baby had shown slight movement and made a small whimper after birth.
According to police records, investigators also discovered that photos were taken while Snelling was in labor. Authorities allege those images were later deleted in an attempt to hide evidence of the birth.
Such details became part of the evidence presented to the grand jury when prosecutors outlined the timeline of events.
The manslaughter indictment significantly raises the legal stakes.
Under Kentucky law, a conviction for first degree manslaughter can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years. If Snelling is also convicted on the other charges previously filed, prosecutors say she could face an additional 11 years.
For now, the case moves forward through the Kentucky court system. Prosecutors must prove that the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death meet the legal standard for manslaughter.
Defense attorneys will likely challenge both the interpretation of the medical findings and the circumstances of the birth itself. Cases involving concealed pregnancies and unattended births often raise complicated questions about panic, medical distress, and state of mind.
Beyond the courtroom, the case has also sparked discussion about hidden pregnancies among young adults, the pressure students may face, and the importance of access to medical help during childbirth emergencies.
For the community in Lexington, the case remains both tragic and deeply complicated. A newborn child lost his life. A young woman now faces the possibility of decades in prison.
As the legal process continues, the court will determine whether the evidence proves criminal responsibility or reveals a different set of circumstances behind one of the most troubling cases to emerge from the University of Kentucky in recent years.
