Laken Snelling, a former University of Kentucky senior and member of the STUNT cheerleading team, has been indicted on first-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of her newborn baby. The new charge follows a medical examiner’s determination that the infant was born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means.

Snelling was arrested in August after her baby was found dead at her home. Court documents revealed that she admitted to giving birth around 4 a.m. on August 27 and that the newborn fell to the floor. Believing the baby to be dead, Snelling reportedly wrapped him in a towel “like a burrito” and laid next to him, later concealing evidence by placing cleaning materials and the infant in a trash bag.

She initially faced charges including abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Snelling has been on home incarceration in Tennessee since September and previously entered not guilty pleas to those charges.

Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird confirmed that a grand jury reviewed the case and determined that first-degree manslaughter was appropriate given the medical findings. Kentucky law defines first-degree manslaughter as causing death while intending serious physical injury, acting under extreme emotional disturbance, or intentionally abusing a child under age 12 resulting in death.

If convicted, Snelling faces up to 20 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, with an additional 11 years possible for the prior charges. An arrest warrant has been issued, and she is scheduled for arraignment in Fayette County at 8:30 a.m. on April 10.

The indictment marks a significant escalation in the case, highlighting the gravity of the medical examiner’s findings and the legal consequences Snelling now faces.