Laken Snelling Pleads Guilty to Killing Newborn Son
Laken Snelling, 22, pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree manslaughter in the death of her newborn son on August 27, 2025. She had previously entered a not guilty plea in April.
- Prosecutors recommend a 10-year sentence for the manslaughter charge.
- 1 year each is recommended for abuse of a corpse, tampering, and concealing birth.
- The Kentucky Medical Examiner concluded the baby was born alive and died of asphyxia.
- Roommates found the infant unresponsive in a black plastic bag inside a closet.
Why it matters: Snelling told the court she was under stress, her baby came unexpectedly, and she ended his life instead of helping him. She admitted to depriving the infant of oxygen, then placing him and blood-soaked towels in a plastic bag without telling anyone.
How 5 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center focuses on Snelling's emotional courtroom statement and the sequence of events leading to her guilty plea.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right emphasizes Snelling's changing accounts to police and the graphic details of how the infant's body was concealed.
What’s next: Snelling waived her rights to a trial and witnesses. Sentencing is set for October 16.
- Whether the judge will follow prosecutors' sentencing recommendation or depart from it at the October 16 hearing.