Laken Snelling, the 22-year-old former University of Kentucky competitive STUNT athlete, now stands accused of first-degree manslaughter in the death of her newborn son after a grand jury handed down the upgraded indictment in March 2026. The case, already heartbreaking, has taken an even more disturbing turn as former Tennessee high school classmates have begun speaking out, painting Snelling as an “appearance-obsessed serial bully” who allegedly once tried to run a fellow student over with her Jeep.

Snelling competed for three years on UK’s high-flying STUNT team before her arrest in late August 2025. Police say she gave birth alone in her off-campus Lexington bedroom around 4 a.m. on August 27, 2025. According to her own statements to investigators, she wrapped the baby boy in a towel, placed him and cleaning materials into a black trash bag, and hid the bag in her bedroom closet. Roommates discovered the body after hearing loud crashing sounds that knocked a picture off the wall. One roommate later told police the infant felt “cold to the touch.”

The Kentucky Medical Examiner determined the baby was born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means. Snelling reportedly told officers she passed out on top of the newborn and woke to find him turning blue and purple. The grand jury upgraded the original charges of abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence to first-degree manslaughter, citing evidence of intentional abuse while noting the actions occurred under “extreme emotional disturbance.” Snelling has pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bond. She is currently on house arrest at her parents’ home in Tennessee and is no longer a UK student or athlete.

What has stunned many is the growing chorus of former classmates from her Tennessee high school who are now describing a much darker side to Snelling. Sydney Kite, who attended school with her, told media that Snelling was a “serial bully” who relentlessly targeted multiple students — including Kite’s own sister. In one of the most alarming claims, Kite alleged that Snelling once tried to run over one of her closest friends with her Jeep. “The bullying got so bad my friend had to leave school and transfer because Laken had taken it so far,” Kite said. Other former students echoed similar stories, calling Snelling fixated on her own looks and quick to lash out violently when angered or challenged.

These new allegations have ignited fierce debate online and raised questions about possible patterns of aggressive behavior, though they have not yet been formally connected by authorities to the current criminal case, which remains centered on the events surrounding the newborn’s death. Snelling’s legal team has not publicly responded to the bullying accusations.

Court records reveal a chaotic scene the night of the birth. Roommates exchanged panicked messages in a Snapchat group chat about loud noises lasting nearly an hour. Several had quietly suspected Snelling might be pregnant but never confronted her directly. Police obtained a search warrant for her Snapchat account during the investigation. Snelling was not home when her roommates found the body and called 911; she was arrested shortly afterward.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the University of Kentucky community. The STUNT program, known for its demanding athletic routines, had featured Snelling prominently in recent years. University officials have offered counseling to students and staff reeling from the news.

Legal experts note that first-degree manslaughter cases involving concealed births often involve complicated questions of intent, postpartum mental health, and emotional distress. The “extreme emotional disturbance” language in the indictment could provide some mitigation at sentencing if Snelling is convicted, though penalties in Kentucky for this charge are still significant.

The case has also sparked wider discussions about hidden pregnancies among college athletes, the intense mental-health pressures of competitive sports, and the lasting impact of high-school bullying. Many are now calling for stronger support systems for young women facing unplanned pregnancies in high-stress environments.

From the cheer mat where she once soared to a manslaughter indictment and now public claims of past violence, Laken Snelling’s story has unfolded rapidly and painfully. The newborn’s short life ended in tragedy, concealed in a closet, while questions about his mother’s actions on that August night — and in the years before — continue to mount both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion.

As the case heads toward trial, the full truth about what happened inside that Lexington bedroom may finally emerge. For now, the stark contrast between the smiling, high-flying athlete the public once cheered and the darker portrait emerging from former classmates has left many heartbroken and searching for answers in a case that refuses to stay buried.