The heartbreaking reality
Laken Snelling, a 22-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader, was sentenced to 10 years in prison this Friday. The sentencing follows a devastating case where Snelling admitted to ending the life of her newborn son, McCoy Cade Hall, whose body was discovered by her roommates in an off-campus home back in August 2025.
The charges and court findings
In Fayette Circuit Court this August, Snelling pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Prosecutors recommended the 10-year term for manslaughter, alongside one-year sentences for the additional charges. According to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office, the baby was born alive but died of asphyxia.
How it unfolded
During court proceedings, the reality of the situation came to light. Roommates reported finding the newborn wrapped in a towel inside a black plastic bag in a closet, along with evidence of childbirth. Initially, Snelling claimed the baby fell or that she had accidentally fallen on him, but court documents later revealed she had told medical staff the infant showed movement and made a sound after birth. She also admitted to deleting photos she took during labor to cover up the event.
During her plea hearing, Snelling tearfully told the court, “Instead of helping him, I ended his life.” Family members spoke about the profound loss, emphasizing that they had been robbed of the chance to ever know the boy. Snelling will be eligible for parole after serving 85% of her sentence, but probation is off the table.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tragic intersection of untreated emotional crisis and legal accountability, leaving a family grieving for a life that never had the chance to begin.
