Candler, NC – A 37-year-old North Carolina man has been sentenced to decades in prison after beating, starving, and burning his 12-week-old daughter, authorities report. The infant suffered extreme abuse, leaving her “skin loose on her body,” before succumbing to her injuries.
Court Verdict and Sentencing
Nickolas Shane Stephenson was found guilty of second-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of his daughter, Riley Stephenson, according to the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office. On Friday, a judge sentenced him to between 27 and 34½ years in prison.
The jury opted for the lesser second-degree murder charge instead of first-degree murder.
“The evidence in this case was extremely graphic. We are grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence, which has held Stephenson accountable for the heartless cruelty he inflicted on this most vulnerable and innocent child,” said District Attorney Todd Williams.
Abuse and Neglect Details
Prosecutors said Stephenson caused Riley’s death through torture, abuse, neglect, and malnutrition in 2022. Riley’s mother, 32-year-old Diandra Fuhr-Farlow, previously pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and testified against Stephenson during the trial…