Man Learns Fate After Leaving 2YO Daughter In Burning Car Following Drunk Crash, Telling Cops “No One” Was Inside

Authorities in Ohio said a 34-year-old father was sentenced to decades behind bars after he left his 2-year-old daughter inside a burning SUV following a drunk crash and initially told officers “no one” was in the vehicle. 

According to an arrest affidavit, deputies found him standing in the road as the car became engulfed in flames, only to discover that a toddler was still strapped into her seat. The man later admitted he had consumed 10 alcoholic drinks before driving.

Deputies said the father was found unsteady and smelling strongly of a**ohol

Mugshot of a man involved in a drunk crash who left his 2-year-old daughter in a burning car and misled cops.

Image credits: Allen County Sheriff’s Office

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, 34-year-old Nicholas Stemen had been driving his 2013 GMC Terrain on the night of September 25, 2024, with his 2-year-old daughter, Lillyanna, in the back seat. 

Investigators said he was “driving erratically” and driving the SUV with only three tires when he veered off the roadway. Moments later, the vehicle caught fire.

Toddler girl holding toys indoors with focus on young child relating to man leaving 2YO daughter in burning car incident.

Image credits: Harter and Schier Funeral Home

At around 9:50 p.m., a passerby spotted the burning SUV and immediately called 911. When deputies arrived, they found Stemen standing in the middle of the road as flames engulfed the SUV. 

The affidavit stated that one of the first responders immediately noticed the smell of a**ohol coming from Stemen, “and he was unsteady on his feet, actually falling to the ground in front of her.”

Comment from Ron Polzin stating no punishment will be harsh enough regarding man leaving 2YO daughter in burning car after drunk crash

Firefighters rushed to put out the growing flames as officers tried to understand what had happened.

With the vehicle now engulfed, responders needed to know whether anyone else was trapped inside. 

Man in courtroom wearing prison uniform after leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car following drunk crash

Image credits: The Lima News

According to the affidavit, the battalion chief asked Stemen if anyone was still in the burning car.

His answer, they said, was simple: “No one.”

Mugshot of man arrested after leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car following a drunk crash.

Image credits: Hometown Stations

“Stemen was asked if he had any children. He answered that he has a daughter, who was with her grandfather, Randy Stemen,” the arrest affidavit read. 

First responders found a grim discovery when they looked inside the smoldering SUV

Comment on social media post about man leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car after drunk crash, facing consequences.

Despite Stemen’s insistence that the SUV was empty, firefighters and deputies continued assessing the vehicle after extinguishing the blaze.

When they returned to the front passenger area, officers found a horrifying sight.

White pickup truck parked on grass near rural area, related to man leaving 2YO daughter in burning car after drunk crash.

Image credits: anon / reddit (not the actual photo)

Rescuers saw a little girl still strapped into her seat. Authorities later confirmed that the toddler lost her life in the fire.

“Battalion Chief Joel Will asked Deputy Geise to step back and look inside the vehicle. Upon doing so, she observed a small body in a front-facing car seat. 

Judge delivering sentence in Allen County Common Pleas Court for man leaving 2YO daughter in burning car after drunk crash

Image credits: Hometown Stations

“She stated she could tell it was human due to seeing skin and blood on the thighs,” the arrest affidavit read.

With the discovery confirmed, deputies took Stemen into custody.

Court document showing mandatory prison sentences and terms related to man leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car after crash.

Image credits: Chris Perez (Law&Crime)

During questioning, investigators said he confessed to consuming 10 alcoholic beverages before driving and claimed he blacked out and could not remember the details of the tragic events that unfolded. 

Stemen pled guilty to multiple felonies and was sentenced to at least 22 years in prison

Man in plaid shirt and lawyer in suit at table during legal proceeding about man leaving daughter in burning car.

Image credits: Hometown Stations

Stemen entered a guilty plea in October to aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering a child, according to Local 12 News. 

During sentencing, Lillyanna’s mother wrote a letter that was read during Stemen’s sentencing, where she lamented the loss of her daughter due to a night of drinking.

A Facebook comment from Beth Besson expressing anger over a man leaving his 2-year-old daughter in a burning car after a drunk crash.

She called for the court to sentence Stemen to life behind bars.

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

Man with beard wearing blue plaid shirt looking down after drunk crash and leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car

Image credits: Hometown Stations

Stemen, for his part, acknowledged that his actions ultimately brought the demise of his own daughter. 

“I know what my actions caused. Now I won’t get to see my little girl grow up, and that hits me to my core. I’m sorry I took her away… I’m sorry she’s gone. I have no recollection of what happened,” he said.

The judge imposed a minimum of 22 years in prison and a maximum of 27 years and 6 months, telling Stemen to spend a “lifetime of thinking what your daughter could have been doing.”

Netizens shared their thoughts on Stemen’s case on social media

Comment expressing sorrow over a man leaving his 2-year-old daughter in a burning car after a drunk crash.

Commenter Sheila Hall expressing affection for Sparky with a light blue chat bubble on social media.

Comment saying he should never see daylight on a light blue background with profile picture of a woman.

Comment by Jesse Osborn discussing karma and consequences after a man leaves 2-year-old daughter in burning car following a crash.

Comment expressing outrage and calling for punishment of a man who left his 2YO daughter in burning car after drunk crash.

Screenshot of a social media comment by Tony Quatermass calling someone a future GOP leader.

Facebook comment by Rosa Trujillo stating the prisoners are going to have fun with a man in a criminal case.

Comment expressing belief that man's drunken state does not excuse guilt in leaving child in burning car after crash.

Comment by Melissa Bailey saying the prisoners are waiting on a light blue background.

Comment expressing outrage at man leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car after drunk crash and lying to cops.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a man who left his 2-year-old daughter in a burning car after a drunk crash.

Screenshot of a Facebook comment expressing anger toward a man who left his 2-year-old daughter in a burning car after a drunk crash.

Comment on social media post by Francisco Nunez expressing confusion about parents getting light legal consequences.

Comment by Will Hoffman criticizing a man involved in a drunk crash who left his 2-year-old daughter in a burning car.

Comment by Sandra W Eury discussing punishment related to man leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car after drunk crash

Comment from Jasmine Hall expressing grief over 2YO daughter left in burning car after drunk crash incident.

Comment about man learning fate after leaving 2-year-old daughter in burning car following drunk crash.

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