Laura Schilling, a Florida resident, encountered a disturbing situation during her stay at an Airbnb in Lexington, Kentucky, leading her to abruptly leave the property and seek accommodations elsewhere. Schilling, who traveled to Lexington for an equine competition with her daughter, her daughter’s three friends, and her mother, became alarmed after several security incidents at the rental property.
Upon arriving at the Airbnb, Schilling noticed the front door was wide open, which initially caused her discomfort. However, after a thorough inspection, she allowed the group to enter, attributing the open door to a possible oversight. The true unsettling events unfolded later that evening after the group returned from dinner. Schilling discovered that not only had the deadbolt been unlocked during their absence but also the windows in the girls’ room were found slightly open and unlocked, despite having been secured earlier.
Adding to her alarm, Schilling observed a suspicious car parked across the street. When she attempted to close the window, the car, which had tinted windows, suddenly started and sped away. This series of events prompted her to contact the local police. Although the officers found no signs of forced entry and suggested there was no immediate danger, the unsettling discoveries led Schilling to believe that the safety of the girls could be at risk, possibly from an attempt at human trafficking.
Heeding the advice of the police to trust her instincts, Schilling decided not to take any risks. With police assistance, she and her group quickly packed their belongings and relocated to a hotel for the remainder of their stay. The local deputy, sensing the potential danger of the situation, had strongly suggested they leave the property for their safety.
After the incident, Schilling reached out to her Airbnb host, identified only as Rosanna, to explain the events. The host’s response was one of shock, but Schilling felt that the reaction did not fully address the severity of the situation. She later reported the incident to Airbnb but expressed frustration over the lack of resolution from the company. This experience left Schilling with a deep concern for the safety protocols of home-sharing services and prompted her to share her story publicly to raise awareness about the potential dangers of such rentals.