In a tragic case stemming from a fatal car accident, an Ohio man has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term following a drunk driving incident that led to the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Lillyanna. Nicholas Stemen, who faced multiple charges, has been sentenced to a prison term ranging from 22 to 27 and a half years. However, he must serve at least 19 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

Court documents confirm that Stemen pleaded guilty to several serious charges, including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated arson, and child endangerment. Once released, he will be subjected to a supervised release period lasting between two to five years, highlighting the serious nature of his offenses and the court’s emphasis on public safety.

The heartbreaking series of events began with a 911 call on September 25, 2024. The caller reported a vehicle operating erratically, missing a tire, and driving on its rim. Shortly after, the vehicle veered off the road and caught fire. When deputies and emergency responders arrived at the scene, they discovered a 2013 GMC Terrain engulfed in flames, with Stemen standing nearby.

Upon approaching Stemen, a deputy detected the smell of alcohol and noted his unsteady stance, witnessing him fall to the ground. When questioned by fire personnel, Stemen initially claimed no one else was in the vehicle and that his daughter was with her grandfather. This statement was tragically contradicted when the deputy peered inside the burning vehicle and spotted a small body secured in a forward-facing car seat.

The deputy looked into the vehicle, however, and “observed a small body, in a forward facing car seat.”

“She stated she could tell it was uman due to seeing skin and blood on the thighs,” the report said.

Stemen later admitted drinking about 10 beers, saying that he “blacked out” and couldn’t remember what happened.

At the sentencing hearing on Monday, a the court heard a letter written by Lillyanna’s mother, Law&Crime reported.

“My baby girl is gone. And for what? For her father enjoying a night of drinking?” the letter said. “He killed her. He took her from everyone who loved her so much. He should spend his life behind bars.”

Stemen spoke at the hearing and apologized, reiterating that he has “no recollection of what happened.

Judge Jeffrey L. Reed told him he was being sentenced to a “lifetime of thinking what your daughter could have been doing.”

“I feel bad for you,” he said. “I feel bad for everybody.”