Star of MTV reality show Sixteen and Pregnant who was filmed giving her baby son up for adoption is jailed for six years for repeatedly downloading child porn
An MTV reality star who was filmed giving her baby son up for adoption when she was 17 has been jailed for more than six years for downloading child porn.
Sixteen and Pregnant star Lori Wickelhaus was ordered behind bars in Campbell, Kentucky, last week after admitting 20 counts of possessing child sex abuse material.
In August 2020, the 29-year-old, who appeared on the second season of the MTV show in 2010, was indicted on 20 counts for possession of a file portraying a minor in a sexual performance.
Wickelhaus's episode, which centered around her decision on whether to put her baby up for adoption or not, according to MTV's website.
She ultimately gave the child, a boy named Aidan, up for adoption.
As a part of her plea deal, the judge ordered she receives mental health counseling.
Wickelhaus' mugshot after her arrest for possession of child pornography
Back in May, Wickelhaus pleaded guilty to possession of child porn, according to a Kentucky court speaking to The Sun.
A 20-count indictment warrant was issued for Wickelhaus' arrest on August 13, 2020, for possession of a file showing a minor in a sexual performance from the months of September to December in 2019.
She pleaded guilty to those counts, according to a Kentucky court, in September of last year.
Lori Wickelhaus is known for her appearance on the second season of the MTV series 16 and pregnant in 2010
The 28-year-old mother of two pleaded guilty to 20 counts of child porn possession earlier this month
A police report stated that the abuse material was found on an iPhone and white chrome laptop PC.
The police received a tip from the Kentucky State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force when an 'unknown subject uploaded images that depict child pornography to a dropbox account,' according to the report.
After her arrest, Wickelhaus was released on a $10K cash bond and deactivated her social media accounts.
Wickelhaus is known for her appearance on the second season of the MTV series 16 and pregnant in 2010.
In the episode, she placed her son, Aidan, for adoption and afterward spent time at Q&A Associates in West Virginia, a transitional program for young adults.
The then 17-year-old holds her son Aidan Elliot Benson on an episode of the popular MTV show '16 and Pregnant'
In 2012, the Kentucky native gave a rare interview regarding her struggle with depression after giving up her son for adoption, saying: 'Before I got here I was on a downward spiral. I had no dreams, I didn't have any goals, I didn't care what happened day-to-day.'
'I'd wake up and go right back to bed. There was nothing to get up and work for. Now I have everything to work for. After my pregnancy, I hit a rough spot. I couldn't really get over that I had done an open adoption with my son. I wasn't working. I quit going to school. I knew I needed a change.'
'I see a good career. A family, a nice house and a couple of animals. I really have a big dream for myself so I plan on reaching it.'
Wickelhaus has since welcomed daughter Rylynn Jo in 2013 and son Logan in 2014 with now-ex-fiance Joseph Amos.