Chloe Coplen-Anderson, an 18-year-old from Nebraska, has been sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison for the 2023 murder of her newborn son. Coplen-Anderson, who secretly gave birth to the child, slit his throat shortly after birth, leading to his tragic death.
The Incident and Investigation
The incident occurred on November 6, 2023, when a Gordon Police Department officer responded to a call about a newborn not breathing. Upon arriving at Coplen-Anderson’s home, the officer was initially met by the teenager’s father, who believed the baby was stillborn.
However, Coplen-Anderson’s mother revealed the heartbreaking truth, claiming that her daughter had killed the child with a kitchen knife. The parents told authorities that Coplen-Anderson had taken the knife earlier in the day, and it was later found bloodied in her closet.
According to an arrest affidavit, Coplen-Anderson slit the throat of her newborn son after giving birth to him secretly in her bedroom. The horrific act resulted in the baby’s death and led to her arrest.
Mental Health and Family Background
Coplen-Anderson’s defense attorney, Todd Lancaster, argued that his client had been the victim of abuse by her family members. According to Lancaster, this abuse had a significant impact on her mental health, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Lancaster also revealed that Coplen-Anderson was just 15 years old when she became pregnant by a 19-year-old man, an act that constitutes sexual assault under Nebraska law.
Despite these circumstances, Lancaster claimed that no adults intervened or helped Coplen-Anderson during her pregnancy, leaving her in a vulnerable state. The case has raised serious concerns about the lack of support for young individuals facing such challenges.
Legal Proceedings and Plea Agreement
Initially, Coplen-Anderson was charged with first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, and use of a deadly weapon. However, through a plea agreement, she pleaded no contest to second-degree murder. As a result, the charges of child abuse and use of a deadly weapon were dropped.
On April 24, 2025, Coplen-Anderson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers confirmed that Judge Travis O’Gorman sentenced her to 35 to 60 years in prison for the crime.