Dad Escapes Crash, Leaves 2-Year-Old Daughter Strapped in Burning Car Seat

A FATHER who “blacked out” after a night of heavy drinking left his toddler to burn alive in the back of a burning car – then tried to fool cops about where she was, police say.

Nicholas Stemen, 34, has now been handed a minimum of 22 years behind bars for the horrific death of his two-year-old daughter, Lillyanna.

Nicholas Stemen 34, was sentenced Monday to at least 22 years in prison for the horrific death of his daughterCredit: Allen County Sheriff's Office Lillyanna, 2, was burned alive in the back of the carCredit: Harter and Schier Funeral Home

The tragedy unfolded in northwest Ohio in September 2024 – a night that prosecutors say was fuelled by booze, reckless driving and devastating neglect.

The court heard how Stemen had guzzled at least ten alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel.

He was spotted driving erratically, his SUV missing an entire tyre as he swerved his way into Lima.

Moments later his car erupted into flames.

Stemen managed to escape, but inside strapped helplessly was his little girl.

When police raced to the fire, they found Stemen standing in the roadway, distraught as his 2013 GMC Terrain burned to a shell.

Officers quickly realised something was very wrong with him.

The arrest affidavit says the officer “could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Stemen’s person, and he was unsteady on his feet, actually falling to the ground.”

His eyes were bloodshot, speech was slurred and he could barely stay upright.

As firefighters battled the flames, Stemen insisted no one else was in the car.

He told crews “no one” was inside.

He also mentioned he had a daughter – but lied, saying she was with her grandfather.

The truth emerged only when the fire was extinguished.

A battalion chief looked inside the charred vehicle and saw what Stemen had tried to hide.

She spotted “a small body” still strapped into a car seat – identifying it as human “due to seeing skin and blood on the thighs,” the affidavit says.

Stemen later confessed to officers that he’d consumed at least 10 drinks that night and had “blacked out.”

According to reports, Lillyanna’s mother delivered a heartbreaking statement at the sentencing on Monday.

She said: “My baby girl is gone. And for what? For her father enjoying a night of drinking? He killed her.”

During Monday’s hearing, Stemen said he had “no recollection” of anything leading up to the blaze that killed his daughter.

Last month, he pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment.

A judge has now ordered him to serve at least 22 years and up to 27 years and 6 months.

Speaking on the sentencing, Lillyanna’s mother said: “He took her from everyone who loved her so much.

“He should spend his life behind bars.”

Last month, he pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter and child endangermentCredit: WLIO