PHOENIX (AZ Family) — Corey Young emerged from Maricopa County Superior Court on Thursday and will be able to spend the holidays at home with his family, which doesn’t sit well with Jan Kelly, who just watched Young confess to trying to cover up her son’s murder.

“It’s like another punishment,” Kelly said. “Where’s Jake for the holidays? It’s sad that Jake isn’t here and we won’t get to see Jake and he won’t get to have another Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Young, 45, pleaded guilty to first-degree obstruction of investigation for his role in the death of Jake Kelly.

The Phoenix man was severely beaten in August 2023 and left unconscious in the driveway of a north Phoenix home where he lived with Young and Young’s wife, Shanon.

Instead of calling 911, police said the Youngs carried Jake into the house, put him in the bathtub, changed his clothes and then left him unconscious.

The couple took him to the hospital the next day, but Jake died a week later.

Angel Mullooly, a friend of the Youngs, remains in custody, charged with second-degree murder.

Jake’s mother thinks Corey Young got off easy.

“It will never be enough to pay the price for losing Jake, but you have to face the fact that it’s not going to happen,” Kelly said. “I am not a lawyer, I am not a judge, I am not a police officer. “I will have to accept what can be done.”

Young is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7. He will be sentenced to imprisonment from two to 8.75 years.

Shannon Young took a plea deal last month and was able to receive parole.

Criminal defense attorney Aaron Reed said these cases can be complex and prosecutors must evaluate whether there is enough evidence to go to trial.

“In this particular case, the family is probably upset about this plea, but a guilty plea to a felony is better than nothing,” Reed said. “The potential for prison time and everything that comes with a felony conviction still exists.”

Arizona’s Family contacted the Maricopa County Prosecutor’s Office and was told that Corey Young was not immediately taken into custody due to what was agreed upon in the plea agreement.

Young will be required to wear an ankle monitor and faces more years in prison if he fails to appear for sentencing.

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