A family fled the Airbnb they were renting in rural Kentucky after making several surprising observations about the house.
The family, consisting of tenant Laura Schilling, her mother and four teenagers, were visiting Lexington the weekend of April 13 for one of the girls’ equine competitions.
They were from out of state, so they booked an Airbnb during their stay.
They landed in Kentucky on Thursday night and were alarmed to find the front door wide open. In a Facebook post chronicling her harrowing stay, Schilling wrote: “I walked in knowing it was the right house based on the pictures, but I had high doubts there could be anyone in the house.”
He checked under all the beds and inside the closets. Only after Schilling made sure the house was clear did she let her daughter and her daughter’s friends inside.
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 broken into the house while they were away.
Police were sent to the house (pictured) after the family became frightened when they saw a car parked across the street.
He then made sure all the windows and doors were “closed and locked.”
The next day, April 13, they left the house and when they returned they found ‘that someone had been in the house.’
Schilling explained that they were sure someone had entered the property because “the deadbolt was open and the hotel-style latch was now open.”
They assumed the Airbnb owner had stopped by the house and ignored him.
Later that day they went to dinner and then returned to the Airbnb where they hung out and then got ready for bed around 11:30 p.m.
It was late and dark outside. Schilling, her mother and the four teenagers were ready to go to sleep.
But then one of the girls burst into Schilling’s room.
‘One of the girls came in and told me her window was open. My mom and I went and discovered that both windows in her room were indeed open and ajar.
‘My mom and I went and discovered that both windows in his room were indeed open and ajar. ‘Then I checked my daughter’s room and her friends’ room and got the same result.’
They were confused.
Schilling inspected the rest of the windows in the house and discovered that they were all in a similar position.
But when they went out to dinner, all the windows were closed.
Then Schilling saw something that made his blood run cold.
‘I returned to the original open window and found that 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 the tinted windows, but not for long.
“When I looked up and looked at his car, the car immediately started and drove away.”
Schilling’s mother called 911 and the Lexington Police Station quickly sent an officer to the scene.
According to authorities, officers were dispatched to Airbnb around 11:38 p.m. The family had reported suspicious activity.
“When officers arrived, they learned that guests had returned to the residence and noticed an open door and an open window,” Lexington police said. WXIN.
“No one was reported missing and officers were unable to determine if anyone had entered the residence illegally.”
Schilling said the deputy insisted they leave because “they were in danger.”
He warned them that “they would indeed return” and the deputy helped them find a hotel to stay.
Lexington police officers remained at the property until the family finished packing their belongings and left for a local hotel.
Schilling highly praised the officers’ help:
“I think the officers did an excellent job and they definitely made us feel safe.”
They also felt that the authorities’ response validated their concerns.
‘When we opened the garage doors and saw there were two cars and officers outside, we felt really safe. He also validated what happened to us.”
Lexington Police stated that at this time, there is no indication that the incident is related to human trafficking. The Lexington Police Department leads the states in arrests related to human trafficking.
They are actively investigating whether or not any criminal activity occurred.
The tenant hopes his experience inspires other travelers to be more vigilant.
‘I told the girls that they should always trust their instincts when they feel something is wrong. If they hadn’t noticed that broken window. If they had thought it was no big deal and just gone to bed… But they didn’t.’