Kentucky Cheerleader’s Shocking Fate: Could Laken Snelling Walk Free After Decade Behind Bars for Tragic Newborn Death?

On August 27, 2025, Snelling gave birth to her son in her closet. Instead of telling her roommates or calling for help, the college student cleaned herself up and went to McDonald’s.

But a short time later, those roommates called 911. They said they heard odd sounds and saw blood in Snelling’s bedroom – she had already left the home.

When cops searched the then-21-year-old’s room, they found a trash bag with a towel and Snelling’s dead infant inside.

After finding the baby, authorities located Snelling and took her to a medical center. After she was cleared of health concerns from giving birth alone, she was arrested and charged with concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with evidence, and abusing a corpse.

The first-degree manslaughter charge did not come until March 2026. A grand jury indicted her after the medical examiner said her son died from asphyxiation.

At Snelling’s sentencing, the baby’s father, Izaiah Hall, spoke to the court.

“I don’t wish the worst on Laken. What happened… it is what it is. I can’t change it. My family can’t change it. It hurts in a way that’s unexplainable. Um, still a lot of questions,” Hall stated.

A woman, who identified herself as Cade’s (the baby’s) grandmother also shared her feelings.

“You imagine birthdays, holidays, first steps, first words, laughter, hugs, kisses, and all the little moments that become lifelong memories,” she said, stating Cade’s life was taken before he could experience those things.

She said he was “a baby that deserved a chance to grow to be loved.”