Lima, OH – A tragic case that shocked Ohio reached its conclusion this week as a father received a lengthy prison sentence for leaving his 2-year-old daughter to die inside a burning vehicle while saving himself. Prosecutors and investigators say the man initially told authorities that “no one” was inside the SUV, even as flames engulfed the car and firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
A review of court records and details reported by local outlets paints a devastating picture of the final moments of young Lillyanna Stemen, whose life ended on a September night in 2024 when her father was allegedly too intoxicated to comprehend the danger he was creating.
Father Receives Over Two Decades in Prison
34-year-old Nicholas Stemen was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years and up to 27 years and six months in state prison. The judge noted the severity of the acts and the irreversible loss caused by Stemen’s actions.
Prosecutors argued that his reckless behaviour—driven by “at least 10 alcoholic beverages,” as he later admitted—directly led to the death of his toddler daughter.
Events Leading Up to the Fire
According to an affidavit from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Stemen had been drinking heavily before getting behind the wheel of his 2013 GMC Terrain. Witnesses described his actions as “driving erratically,” and investigators later found the SUV was missing a tire before it veered off the road and came to a stop…