The 16-year-old Effingham resident charged in the accidental fatal shooting of 16-year-old Kaylee Jacob has pleaded guilty to the charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
The guilty plea came on Wednesday, about a month after a judge ruled that the defendant would remain charged as a juvenile. The State had made a motion to try him as an adult.
Kaylee Jacob was killed on October 18th when she was shot by a handgun that had been stolen from a vehicle parked in the Lake Sara area. After an extensive investigation authorities determined that the shooting was accidental, and the result of the juvenile being unaware that a bullet was in the chamber of the gun.
A sentencing date has been scheduled for April 14th at 10:00am. Because the defendant is charged as a juvenile, the sentencing will not extend past his 21st birthday.