Father of Laken Snelling’s Baby Speaks Out at Sentencing: “It Hurts in a Way That’s Unexplainable”

The father of Laken Snelling’s newborn son spoke publicly for the first time during her sentencing hearing, sharing a brief but emotional statement about the loss of his child.

Izaiah Hall addressed the court on October 16, 2026, as Snelling, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, received a 10-year prison sentence in connection with the death of their newborn son, McCoy Cade Hall.

“I don’t wish the worst on Laken,” Hall said in court, according to reports cited by PEOPLE. He acknowledged the pain his family continues to experience, explaining that the tragedy was something they could not change.

Hall’s relatives also spoke during the hearing, describing their grief and remembering the baby’s life and the future they had imagined for him. His sister delivered a particularly emotional message, saying that the child was not “garbage” and describing him as an innocent, full-term baby boy who deserved the chance to grow up surrounded by love.

The baby’s grandmother also spoke about the milestones her grandson would never experience, including birthdays, first steps, holidays and other moments families often take for granted. Her words reflected the lasting impact of the loss on the child’s paternal family.

Snelling, 22, pleaded guilty in August 2026 to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. During her plea hearing, she acknowledged that she had deprived her baby of oxygen after his unexpected birth.

The case began in August 2025, when the newborn was discovered dead inside a closet at Snelling’s off-campus residence. The investigation led to criminal charges and, ultimately, her guilty plea.

At sentencing, Snelling’s attorney said she was deeply saddened by what happened and accepted responsibility for her actions. The judge imposed a 10-year prison sentence, with the sentences for the additional offenses running concurrently.

Hall’s statement stood out because it focused not on revenge, but on the grief that remains after the loss of a child. For his family, the court hearing was an opportunity to remember Cade and speak about the life they believe he should have had.

Source: PEOPLE