Updated September 28, 2018

A Lawrence County teenager has been sentenced to four years in prison in connection with the 2017 shooting death of a 16-year-old Lawrenceburg girl.

Lawrence County District Attorney General Brent Cooper said Kyle Daniel Welcher, 18, was sentenced Wednesday by Lawrence County Judge David Allen.

In August, officials said Welcher entered an open guilty plea to reckless homicide, and three counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

Courthouse officials said by entering an open plea Welcher admitted guilt and the judge makes the decision on the sentencing.

Reckless homicide carries a penalty of 2-4 years in prison, while reckless endangerment is punishable up to three years.

Cooper said Welcher received the maximum sentence under the law.

He was arrested on Dec. 12, 2017, in connection with the shooting death of Holley Ann Cullum, a student at Lawrence County High School.

He has been in the Lawrence County Jail since his arrest in December 2017.