Former UK student-athlete faces manslaughter charge in baby’s death. What comes next?
After a new arrest warrant was issued Wednesday, the former University of Kentucky student-athlete indicted for manslaughter in the death of her infant son was booked in and quickly bonded out of the Fayette County Detention Center.
A Fayette County judge has ordered Laken Snelling, now 22, to appear at her next court date Friday, April 10. She was booked into FCDC Thursday, according to online court records, and posted her $10,000 cash bond shortly after. It is unclear where she will reside before her court appearance.
Snelling was indicted by a grand jury earlier this week on a manslaughter charge and several others following the August 2025 death of an infant found by roommates in Snelling’s home. The then-UK student reportedly told police at the time she gave birth alone.
Grand jury indictment documents obtained by the Herald-Leader Wednesday indicate jurors considered a murder charge, but instead proceeded with manslaughter, finding Snelling was experiencing an “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time. The documents did not indicate how she harmed the infant, who a coroner ruled was born alive and died of asphyxia.
At the time of her August arrest, Snelling was charged with abuse of a corpse, concealing the birth of an infant and tampering with physical evidence. The manslaughter charge was added as part of the indictment.
Her bond was originally posted at $100,000 surety. This type requires no payment, but if she violates any conditions of her bond, the surety — her father — would be responsible for paying the full amount. Snelling was placed on home incarceration Oct. 30, 2025, at her father’s house in White Pine, Tenn.
However, with the introduction of the manslaughter charge, a new bond amount of $10,000 full cash is required. This amount could be discussed at her April 10 circuit court arraignment, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Her attorney does not respond to requests for comment on the case.
Her attorneys can also ask the bond be “blanketed,” meaning the original surety bond covers the additional charge.
The judge assigned to the case, Dianne Minnifield, will determine whether the bond will stay the same, and if so, Snelling would be required to post that bond amount. Minnifield could also lower the bond and require Snelling to make some sort of financial payment.
This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM.
