A father in the United States has been sentenced to decades behind bars after he abandoned his two-year-old daughter in a burning car to save himself, then lied to police about her presence.
A Night of Drinking Ends in Tragedy
Nicholas Stemen, 34, had consumed at least ten alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel with his young daughter, Lillyanna Stemen. The car was reported to be driving erratically, missing a tyre, and swerving out of its lane before it came to a stop and became engulfed in flames.
The Cowardly Lie and Discovery
When police arrived at the scene in Allen County, Ohio, they found Stemen standing outside the vehicle, which was fully ablaze. Officers reported he had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and smelled of alcohol. When asked if anyone was inside the car, Stemen lied, stating "no one" was inside and claiming his daughter was at her grandfather's house.
Despite his claims, a deputy looked inside the burnt-out vehicle and observed the small body of Lillyanna, who was still in her forward-facing car seat. Her body was recovered after emergency services extinguished the fire.
Court Sentencing and Emotional Apology
Stemen later pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering a child. In court, the heartbroken mother's letter was read, stating, "My baby girl is gone. And for what? For her father enjoying a night of drinking? He killed her."
While his attorney argued Stemen was not a monster but a broken man, the court handed down a sentence of 22 to 31 years in prison. Stemen apologised in court, saying he had no recollection of the event and that his sorrow was insufficient.
