Juvenile Pleads Guilty in Kaylee Jacob Shooting Death

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Published on March 16 2016 4:03 pm
Last Updated on March 16 2016 4:18 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The juvenile charged in connection with the shooting death of Effingham teenager Kaylee Jacob last fall pleaded guilty Wednesday. Sentencing will take place in April.

(KAYLEE JACOB)

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the 16-year-old pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and possession of a stolen firearm. Kibler said he agreed to dismiss two other counts, reckless discharge of a firearm and burglary.

The involuntary manslaughter count charges that the juvenile, while acting in a reckless manner was mishandling or misusing the weapon and that the weapon discharged, with the bullet striking Kaylee and causing her death.

Kibler said once Judge Kimberly Koester ruled last month that the youth would be tried as a juvenile, he spoke with Kaylee's parents and decided to present this option to the juvenile. During a pre-trial hearing Wednesday afternoon, the juvenile agreed to the negotiated plea.

Sentencing will take place at 10am on April 14. Judge Koester explained that the juvenile could be sentenced to an indeterminate time in the Department of Juvenile Justice up to his 21st birthday.