Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of her newborn son.

According to NBC affiliate WLEX, the 22-year-old entered the plea on Aug. 21. Snelling also pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

In video shared by Court TV, an emotional Snelling described what happened after she gave birth nearly a year ago.

“I was under a lot of emotional stress, and my baby came unexpectedly, and instead of helping him, I ended his life, and afterwards I cleaned up and didn’t tell anyone,” Snelling said through tears. “I deprived him of oxygen.”

Newborn Was Reportedly Found in Trash Bag

On Aug. 27, 2025, officers were dispatched to a residence on the 400 block of Park Avenue at approximately 10:30 a.m. for a report of an unresponsive infant.

When officers arrived, they located the infant, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The location was Snelling’s off-campus home, and officers went to investigate after her roommates found the infant, according to reporting by People.

The newborn was reportedly found wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag that had been hidden in Snelling’s closet.

Four days later, on Aug. 31, Snelling was arrested in connection with the infant’s death on allegations including abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that the infant had been born alive, according to the Lexington Police Department. The medical examiner determined the baby’s cause of death was “asphyxia by undetermined means.”

On March 10, 2026, police announced that a Fayette County grand jury indicted Snelling on an additional charge of first-degree manslaughter.

Under Snelling’s plea agreement, prosecutors recommended that she serve 10 years for the first-degree manslaughter charge.

Prosecutors recommended an additional three years for the remaining charges, bringing the recommended sentence to a total of 13 years.

Snelling is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16.