UPDATE: Boyle County teen pleads guilty to manslaughter

BOYLE COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – A Boyle County teen charged in connection to the murder of her stepmother entered a surprise guilty plea Monday.

According to the Boyle County Circuit clerk, Jenna Oakley pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of 52-year-old Rhonda Oakley.

“For the amount of time that she received for taking a life, I just don’t think it’s fair,” said Jenna Oakley’s father, Phillip Oakley.

Oakley was found dead at the family’s home in 2016.

Two days later, 15-year-old Jenna Oakley and her boyfriend, 20-year-old Kenneth Nigh, were found in New Mexico in her stepmother’s car.

Nigh attempted to hang himself in custody and later died at a hospital.

Jenna Oakley was indicted as an adult on charges of complicity to commit murder and theft by unlawful taking.

Last week, Oakley’s lawyer filed a motion to have the case sent back to juvenile court.

In addition to manslaughter, Oakley also pleaded guilty Monday to theft by unlawful taking.

“I hate what she did. I don’t necessarily hate my daughter. I want to be able to forgive my daughter, but I just don’t know how. I haven’t figured that out yet,” said Phillip Oakley.

The circuit clerk says the recommended sentence is 15 years – 10 for complicity to commit murder and five for theft by unlawful taking.

Oakley is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22.