In a significant new development in the high-profile case surrounding former University of Kentucky STUNT team member Laken Snelling, her ex-boyfriend Izaiah Hall has voluntarily provided a DNA sample to Lexington police. The 21-year-old quarterback, who plays for the University of the Cumberlands, submitted the sample to determine whether he is the biological father of Snelling’s newborn son, whose body was discovered in a trash bag hidden in a closet at her off-campus home in August 2025.

Hall’s father, Justin Smith, confirmed to media outlets that Lexington police requested his son come to the station to give the sample. “I don’t know anything on this and we don’t know if Izaiah is the father or not,” Smith said, declining to provide further details. The request for DNA comes as Snelling, now 22, faces an upgraded indictment that includes first-degree manslaughter in the death of the infant boy.

According to police reports and court documents, Snelling gave birth alone in her Lexington bedroom around 4 a.m. on August 27, 2025. She told investigators she wrapped the baby in a towel, placed him along with cleaning materials into a black trash bag, and hid the bag in her closet. Roommates discovered the body after hearing loud noises and called 911. The Kentucky Medical Examiner determined the infant was born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means. Snelling reportedly stated she passed out on top of the newborn and woke to find him unresponsive and changing color.

The case initially drew national attention when Snelling was arrested on charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. In March 2026, a Fayette County grand jury added the first-degree manslaughter charge, citing evidence of intentional abuse while noting the actions occurred under “extreme emotional disturbance.” Snelling has pleaded not guilty and is currently under house arrest at her parents’ home in Tennessee. She is no longer enrolled at the University of Kentucky or affiliated with its athletics program.

Izaiah Hall, described as a hulking quarterback studying business administration, dated Snelling prior to her relationship with former college basketball player Conner Jordan. The timing of the pregnancy remains unclear, making the DNA test a critical piece of the ongoing investigation. Results have not yet been publicly released, and it is unknown whether they will be introduced as evidence in Snelling’s upcoming legal proceedings.

The tragedy has sparked intense scrutiny and debate. Former high school classmates have come forward alleging Snelling was a “serial bully” obsessed with appearance, with one claiming she once tried to run a student over with her Jeep. These accounts, while not formally tied to the criminal case, have fueled public speculation about Snelling’s character and state of mind at the time of the birth.

Roommates described a chaotic scene the night of the discovery, including frantic Snapchat group chat messages about loud thuds lasting nearly an hour. Some had suspected Snelling might be pregnant but never confronted her directly. Police obtained a search warrant for her Snapchat account as part of the probe.

For the University of Kentucky community, the case has been painful. The competitive STUNT program, known for its demanding athletic routines, once featured Snelling prominently. University officials have made counseling resources available to students and staff affected by the news.

Legal experts note that paternity results could play a role in understanding the circumstances surrounding the concealed birth, though the manslaughter charge focuses primarily on Snelling’s alleged actions after delivery. Cases involving hidden pregnancies often involve complex layers of mental health, postpartum distress, and emotional disturbance, factors that defense attorneys frequently highlight.

The broader conversation has turned to support for young women facing unplanned pregnancies, especially student-athletes under intense pressure. Advocates continue to call for better resources and safe haven options on college campuses.

As the investigation continues and Snelling’s case heads toward trial — with an arraignment scheduled for April 2026 — the DNA test from Izaiah Hall adds another layer of uncertainty to an already heartbreaking story. Whether Hall is the biological father or not, the infant’s short life ended in tragedy, concealed in a closet, leaving family, friends, and a watching public searching for answers.

The full truth about what happened in that Lexington bedroom may take months to fully emerge in court. For now, the voluntary DNA submission by Snelling’s ex-boyfriend keeps the focus on determining paternity while the manslaughter charges against the former cheerleader remain at the center of one of Kentucky’s most disturbing recent cases.