Dad Escaped Burning Car and Left Daughter, 2, Inside to Die — Then Lied to Cops About Where She Was By Samira Asma-Sadeque

An Ohio man has been sentenced to more than two decades behind bars for the death of his 2-year-old daughter.

Lillyanna Stemen was found dead inside a burning car on Sept. 24, 2024, on a road in American Township, Ohio, according to an affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE.

Nicholas Stemen, 34, pleaded guilty to several charges including arson and manslaughter, according to court records cited by Law & Crime.

In the affidavit, which was separately uploaded online by the outlet, authorities said on the day of the incident, they responded to a report of a car driving erratically on a road in Allen County before it stopped and caught fire.

When deputies from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, they saw the vehicle was “fully engulfed in flames.” Nicholas was standing outside “visibly upset” that his car was on fire, investigators said, with one responding officer noting he had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and reeked of alcohol.

When police asked Nicholas if there was anyone in the car, he told them there wasn’t, per the affidavit. During further questioning, Nicholas revealed he has a daughter and said that she was with her grandfather at the time.

After putting the fire out, however, investigators found Lillyanna’s body inside the car. Officers determined it was the body of a young girl when they saw blood and skin on her thighs.

Nicholas later admitted to officers that he had consumed at least 10 alcoholic drinks leading up to the incident and said he had “blacked out,” the affidavit alleges.

In an online obituary set up soon after her death, Lillyanna was being remembered as a “loving, smart, outgoing, bubbly, and energetic little girl” whose hugs were healing.

She loved goldfish crackers, grapes and playing in the park on the swings and slides.

“No one could say no to her or turn her down to play because she would give them ‘that look,’” read part of the obituary.

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Nicholas has been convicted of aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment, according to the court records shared by the outlet. On Monday, Nov. 17, he was sentenced to a total of 22 to 31 years in prison, with the sentence for each of the three convictions to be served consecutively.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.