Ex-Kentucky Cheerleader Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Newborn Son Found Stuffed in Trash Bag
Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling has entered a not guilty plea after being accused of killing her newborn son by placing his body inside a trash bag. The 21-year-old defendant appeared in court on Friday to formally deny first-degree manslaughter charges related to the incident that occurred in late August.
Discovery of the Infant and Initial Charges
Snelling's college roommates made the grim discovery at their shared off-campus residence in Lexington. They found the deceased baby boy inside a black plastic bag that had been stuffed into Snelling's closet. In her room, authorities reported finding a blood-soaked towel on the floor along with a plastic bag containing evidence of childbirth. The roommates told a 911 operator that the infant felt cold to the touch when they discovered him.
The roommates had previously suspected that Snelling was hiding a pregnancy. They informed police that they heard loud, unusual noises coming from her room around 4 a.m. on August 27, which authorities believe was when she gave birth. Following the discovery of the baby's body, Snelling was initially charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She pleaded not guilty to these charges as well.
Medical Examiner's Findings and Manslaughter Charges
The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office later presented findings to a grand jury, determining that the baby was born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means. Based on this medical evidence, prosecutors added first-degree manslaughter charges last month, alleging that Snelling left the infant to die in the closet after giving birth.
If convicted, Snelling faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the first-degree manslaughter charge alone. The additional charges could result in up to 11 more years of incarceration, bringing the total potential prison time to 31 years.
Bond and Current Status
After being booked into the Fayette County Detention Center, Snelling was released just hours later when her father reportedly posted her $10,000 bond. She was subsequently seen walking the streets of Lexington while awaiting further court proceedings. The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward in the Kentucky court system.
