Plea agreement reached in Gordon newborn murder case

GORDON, Neb. -- A plea agreement has been reached in the case of a Gordon teenager accused of murdering her newborn baby.

17-year-old Chloe Coplen-Anderson has agreed to plead no contest to second-degree murder. In exchange, the charges of first-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony and intentional child abuse resulting in death will be dropped.

Second-degree murder is a Class 1B felony, which in Nebraska is punishable by a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison.

According to court documents, on Nov. 6, 2023, Gordon Police and EMTs arrived at Coplen-Anderson’s home after receiving a call about a juvenile giving birth at home to an infant who wasn’t breathing.

The documents said that officers were met at the door by the teen’s father, who claimed the baby was stillborn. However, upon entering the bedroom the girl’s mother said her daughter had hurt the baby. The officer said that when he attempted to provide first aid, he found the baby had been stabbed several times.