An Ohio man has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for the death of his two-year-old daughter.
Lillyanna Stemen was discovered dead inside a burning car on a road in American Township, Ohio, on September 24, 2024, according to an affidavit read by PEOPLE.
Nicholas Stemen, 34, pleaded guilty to many offenses, including arson and manslaughter, according to court records obtained by Law & Crime.
The affidavit, which was separately put online by the outlet, stated that on the day of the incident, officials responded to a report of a car traveling erratically on a road in Allen County before stopping and catching fire.
When deputies from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office arrived, they discovered the truck was “fully engulfed in flames.” Nicholas was standing outside “visibly upset” that his car was on fire, according to investigators, with one responding officer noting he had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and smelled of alcohol.
According to the affidavit, when officers questioned Nicholas if there was anyone else in the car, he said no. During further inquiry, Nicholas confessed that he has a daughter, and that she was with her grandfather at the time.
After putting out the fire, investigators discovered Lillyanna’s body inside the automobile. Officers identified the body as that of a young girl after noticing blood and flesh on her thighs.
Nicholas eventually revealed to officers that he had taken at least ten alcoholic beverages prior to the incident and that he had “blacked out,” according to the affidavit.
In an online obituary posted shortly after her death, Lillyanna was recalled as a “loving, smart, outgoing, bubbly, and energetic little girl” whose hugs were healing.
She enjoyed goldfish crackers, grapes, and playing on the park’s swings and slides.
“No one could say no to her or turn her down to play because she would give them ‘that look,'” stated a portion of the obituary.
Nicholas was convicted of aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter, and child endangerment, according to court records obtained by the outlet. On Monday, Nov. 17, he was sentenced to 22 to 31 years in jail, with each of the three sentences served consecutively.
