A Nebraska teenager, Chloe Coplen-Anderson, has been found guilty of second-degree murder for the death of her newborn son. The 17-year-old was charged as an adult and could face a minimum of 20 years to life in prison. Coplen-Anderson entered a no contest plea as part of a plea agreement, which resolved the case initially charged as premeditated first-degree murder committed during felony child abuse with the use of a deadly weapon.
The case against Coplen-Anderson began when local law enforcement responded to a distress call at her home. The teen’s parents had discovered a gruesome scene in their daughter’s bedroom on November 6, 2023. The deceased newborn’s remains were found concealed in an empty plastic dog food bag and a trash bag in the teen’s closet, covered with clothes. At the time, Coplen-Anderson was reportedly out shopping.
The parents had noticed earlier that day that Coplen-Anderson had taken a knife from a kitchen drawer. Upon her return from the store, she was confronted by her mother, to which she admitted that the baby was dead and that she had killed him. Authorities later confirmed that the newborn had been stabbed multiple times and had a cut throat.
Following her arrest, prosecutors decided to charge Coplen-Anderson as an adult. Now that she has been found guilty as an adult, she faces a minimum of 20 years in state prison and potentially life imprisonment. However, it is reported that prosecutors are not seeking the maximum punishment.
Under Nebraska law, second-degree murder is defined as causing the death of a person intentionally, but without premeditation. Coplen-Anderson’s sentencing date is expected to be set at her next court appearance on October 15.