Laken Snelling Gets 10 Years After Admitting She Killed Her Newborn

Laken Snelling has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting she killed her newborn son, McCoy Cade Hall. Her roommates found him in a closet at their shared Lexington home in August 2025.

Snelling, 22, was taken into custody October 16 after Fayette Circuit Judge Diane Minnifield imposed the sentence. She had pleaded guilty in August to first-degree manslaughter and three other offenses connected with the baby’s August 2025 death.

At sentencing, the child’s father and his family spoke about a boy they never had the opportunity to raise. They described the birthdays, first steps and ordinary family experiences that would not happen.

What Her Roommates Heard

Police were called to the shared off-campus home in Lexington on August 27, 2025. Before that call, Snelling’s roommates had been discussing unusual noises from her room in a Snapchat group chat, according to search-warrant records reported by WKYT and LEX 18.

The records describe noises beginning around 4 a.m. Before 9 a.m., Snelling messaged the group that she had passed out, had not been feeling well and intended to seek medical attention. Her roommates later entered the room and discovered the infant, prompting the call to police.

Investigators initially arrested Snelling on charges involving the handling of the baby’s remains, evidence and the concealed birth. A first-degree manslaughter count followed the medical examiner’s findings that the baby had been born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means.

Her Account Changed With the Plea

Snelling initially pleaded not guilty. During an August 21, 2026 plea hearing, she acknowledged causing her son’s death as well as concealing the birth and tampering with evidence.

Instead of helping the baby, she told the court, she had ended his life. Her guilty plea covered first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

Minnifield ordered a presentence investigation before deciding the punishment. Court TV reported that the review addressed Snelling’s background, education and lack of a prior criminal record.

The Baby’s Family Had Their Turn

The paternal relatives called the baby Cade. His father said he could not change what had happened and did not wish the worst for Snelling, while acknowledging the pain of the loss.

Other relatives described the future they had imagined for him. Their statements focused on getting to know the child and watching him grow, opportunities the family said had been taken from them.

Snelling’s lawyers told the court that the decision not to submit further statements or supportive letters should not be read as indifference. The defense said she was deeply saddened and accepted responsibility, according to Court TV.

What the Sentence Means

The judge imposed 10 years for manslaughter and one year on each of the other three counts, with the terms running concurrently. That produces a total of 10 years, rather than 13 consecutive years.

Court TV reported that Snelling received 415 days of credit for time served under house arrest. She was not eligible for probation and was taken into custody after sentencing.

References: Former UK student sentenced for baby’s death following earlier guilty plea | Laken Snelling sentenced to 10 years in infant death case | ‘You’re going to have a lot of time’: Judge sends cheerleader to prison for killing newborn found in closet | Father of Laken Snelling’s Baby Speaks Out at Her Sentencing

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