Former Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Snelling Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling, 22, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday, October 16, 2026, after pleading guilty to charges connected to the death of her newborn son in Lexington, Kentucky.
Snelling pleaded guilty in August to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. She was sentenced by Fayette Circuit Court Judge Diane Minnifield, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently, making the total prison term 10 years.
The Brief
The case began in August 2025, when police were called to Snelling’s off-campus residence in Lexington after her roommates discovered a newborn who was unresponsive. The baby was found concealed inside a closet.
According to court records and local reporting, the roommates had heard unusual noises coming from Snelling’s room earlier that morning. After becoming concerned, they investigated and discovered the infant.
The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the baby had been born alive and ruled the cause of death as asphyxia by undetermined means.
Snelling was arrested days after the discovery and later faced multiple charges in connection with the baby’s death and the concealment of the birth.
What Snelling Admitted in Court
During her August 21 guilty plea hearing, Snelling acknowledged responsibility for her son’s death.
She told Judge Diane Minnifield that she had been under significant emotional stress and that the baby was born unexpectedly. She said that instead of helping him, she ended his life.
When asked by the judge what she had done, Snelling said she had deprived the baby of oxygen.
Her guilty plea covered four charges: first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. Prosecutors had recommended 10 years for the manslaughter charge and additional one-year sentences for the other charges.
The judge ultimately ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in the 10-year sentence imposed Friday.
What Happened After the Baby Was Found
Investigators reviewed evidence from Snelling’s residence and electronic devices during the investigation. Court records described evidence relating to the pregnancy and the events surrounding the baby’s birth.
Snelling initially provided investigators with an account that included her saying she had accidentally fallen on the baby after giving birth. Investigators later obtained medical evidence establishing that the child had been born alive.
The case received significant attention because Snelling had been a student and competitive cheerleader at the University of Kentucky before the baby’s death. She later left the university following her arrest.
At the sentencing hearing, the baby’s father, Izaiah Hall, spoke about his son, who he named McCoy Cade Hall. Hall said he did not wish the worst for Snelling and acknowledged that he could not change what had happened. Members of the baby’s family also addressed the court and spoke about their grief.
What Happens Next
Snelling was taken into custody following Friday’s sentencing and will serve the 10-year prison sentence imposed by the court. She had previously received credit for time spent under house arrest while the case was pending.
Reports indicate that Snelling is not eligible for probation because of the nature of the conviction. She may become eligible for parole after serving the required portion of her sentence under Kentucky law.
The sentencing brings the criminal case to a major conclusion more than a year after the newborn’s death. Snelling accepted responsibility through her guilty plea, while the baby’s family continues to deal with the loss of McCoy Cade Hall.
