Cheerleader Laken Snelling learns her fate after killing newborn son found stuffed in trash bag

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-10-16 14:11:17 | Updated at 2026-10-18 23:28:49 2 days ago

A former University of Kentucky cheerleader who admitted to killing her newborn son, whose lifeless body was found stuffed in a trash bag, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Laken Snelling, 22, pleaded guilty at Fayette Circuit Court in August to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

She was sentenced to 10 years Friday after telling the court at the previous plea hearing, “Instead of helping him, I ended his life,” according to WLEX.

Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling was sentenced to prison after leaving her newborn son to die in her closet. Lexington Police Department
Laken Snelling appeared in court on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 for her sentencing. WKYT
Laken Snelling was a cheerleader for the University of Kentucky. Laken Snelling / Facebook
Laken Snelling was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Laken Snelling / Facebook

Prosecutors had recommended a 10-year prison term for manslaughter, and one year each for abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

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