A family fled the Airbnb they were renting in rural Kentucky after making several surprising observations about the home.
The family, which consisted of tenant Laura Schilling, her mother and four teenage girls, was visiting Lexington the weekend of April 13 for one of the girls’ equestrian events.
They were from out of state, so they booked an Airbnb for the duration of their stay.
They landed in Kentucky late Thursday night and were shocked to find the front door wide open. In a Facebook post detailing her harrowing stay, Schilling wrote, “I went in knowing this was the right house based on photos, but was very suspicious that anyone might be in the house.”
She checked under all the beds and in the cupboards. Only after Schilling made sure the house was empty did she allow her daughter and her daughter’s friends into the house.
Laura Schilling (pictured), her mother, her teenage daughter and her three friends were staying at an Airbnb in Lexington, Kentucky when they noticed someone had entered the house while they were away
Police were sent to the house (pictured) after the family was startled by a car parked across the road
She then made sure all windows and doors were ‘closed and locked’.
The next day, April 13, they left the house and when they returned, they discovered “that someone had been in the house.”
Schilling explained that they were confident someone had entered the property because “the deadbolt was unlocked and the hotel latch was now open.”
They assumed the Airbnb owner had stopped by the house and ignored it.
Later that same day, they went out to dinner and then returned to the Airbnb, where they hung out and got ready for bed around 11:30 p.m.
It was late and dark outside. Schilling, her mother and the four teenagers were ready for bed.
But then one of the girls burst into the Schilling’s room.
“One of the girls came in and told me her window was open. My mother and I discovered that both windows in their room were indeed unlocked and open.”
‘My mother and I discovered that both windows in their room were indeed unlocked and wide open. I then checked my daughter’s and her friends’ rooms, with the same result.’
They were confused.
Schilling inspected the rest of the windows in the house and found that they were all in a similar position.
But when they went to eat, all the windows were closed.
Then Schilling saw something that made her blood run cold.
‘I went back to the original open window and found the screens had also been removed. When I opened the window, there was a car parked across the street with tinted windows.”
Schilling looked at the car with tinted windows, but not for long.
“When I looked up and looked at their car, the car immediately started and took off.”
Schilling’s mother called 911 and the Lexington Police Department quickly dispatched a deputy to the scene.
According to authorities, officers were dispatched to the Airbnb around 11:38 p.m. The family had reported suspicious activity.
“When officers arrived, they learned that the guests had arrived at the residence and observed that a door was unlocked and a window was open,” Lexington police said WXIN.
“Nothing was reported missing and officers were unable to determine if anyone had unlawfully entered the home.”
Schilling said the deputy insisted they leave because they “were in danger.”
He warned them that “they would indeed be back,” and the deputy helped them find a hotel to stay in.
Lexington police officers remained at the property until the family finished packing their belongings and left for a local hotel.
Schilling was very complimentary of the officers’ help:
“I think the officers did an excellent job and certainly made us feel safe.”
They also felt that law enforcement’s response confirmed their concerns.
‘When we opened the garage doors and saw that there were two cars and officers outside, we felt really safe. It also confirmed what was happening to us.”
Lexington Police said there is no evidence at this time that the incident is related to human trafficking. Lexington police lead the states in human trafficking arrests.
They actively investigate whether or not there is any criminal activity.
The tenant hopes his experience will inspire other travelers to be more vigilant.
‘I told the girls to always trust their instincts when they feel something is wrong. If they hadn’t noticed that cracked window. If they had thought it was no big deal and just gone to bed… But they didn’t.’