Renter, elderly mom, 4 teenage girls leave Kentucky Airbnb early after ‘unsettling’ stay

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – A renter, her elderly mother and four teenage daughters left a Kentucky Airbnb early after events took place that left them “unsettled.”

According to WXIN, authorities in Lexington, Kentucky have released new information regarding a Facebook post that gained traction on social media. Per the station, the renter, who has asked to remain anonymous, was left “unsettled” after she chose to leave early from a Lexington-area Airbnb located off Leestown Road.

The renter and their family lived out of state and was visiting Lexington on the weekend of April 13 for their daughter’s equine competition, according to the outlet.

After returning from dinner, the renter said their family returned to a scene that left them quite unnerved.

“Later that night, when we returned, the girls hung out, and we got ready for bed around 11:30. One of the girls came in and told me that her window was open. My mom and I went to find that both windows in their room were indeed unlocked and cracked open,” the renter told WXIN.

The renter inspected the rest of the house, and described the windows as being in a similar position, despite each being closed when they had left for dinner.

“When I opened the window, there was a car that had been parked across the street with tinted windows. When I looked up and looked at their car, the car immediately started and took off. My mom called 911, and the deputy quickly came,” the renter told WXIN.

The station reached out to authorities in Lexington regarding the events of that night. Police told the station that officers with the department were dispatched to the Airbnb at approximately 11:38 p.m. for reports of suspicious activity.

“When officers arrived, they learned that the guests had arrived back at the residence and noticed a door unlocked and a window opened. Nothing was reported missing, and officers could not determine if someone had unlawfully entered the residence,” police told WXIN.

According to the outlet, officers on the scene told the family that if they felt unsafe, they should leave and find a hotel to stay for the rest of their visit. The police officers remained at the location until the family had packed their belongings and departed the Airbnb for a hotel.

“I think that the officers did an outstanding job and definitely made us feel safe. When we opened the garage doors and saw that there were two cars and officers standing outside, it made us feel really safe. It also validated what happened to us,” the renter told WXIN.

Explaining the social media post, the renter told the station that they hoped it would encourage others to always be vigilant when traveling.

“I told the girls that they should always trust their instincts when they feel that something is wrong. If they had not noticed that cracked window. If they had thought it was no big deal and just went to bed. But they didn’t,” the renter told WXIN.

Authorities in Lexington told the station that at this time there is no indication that the events were tied to human trafficking, but added that there is an ongoing investigation to determine if any criminal activity had occurred at the location.

WXIN has reached out to the Airbnb’s property owner for comment, but has not heard back.

Those with any information were asked to contact the Lexington Police Department at 859-258-3600.