Laken Snelling is 22. She once cheered for the University of Kentucky. She came from White Pine, Tennessee. On Friday a judge in Lexington sentenced her to 10 years in prison.
The case stems from the death of her newborn son in August 2025. Snelling pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and three other charges.
Prosecutors had asked for 13 years total. The judge gave 10 years for the manslaughter count. The other charges drew one year each but will run at the same time.
During her plea Snelling told the court the baby’s birth was unexpected. She said she had been under heavy stress. She admitted her role in the infant’s death.
Police were called to a house in the 400 block of Park Avenue on August 27, 2025. Roommates had grown worried after hearing noises and later finding signs of a birth.
The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the infant was born alive. The official cause was listed as asphyxia by undetermined means.
Snelling was first charged shortly after the discovery. A grand jury added the manslaughter count in March 2026. She initially pleaded not guilty before reaching the agreement that ended the case without a trial.
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