Drunk dad left daughter, 2, to die in back of burning car

A father who claims he blacked out after drinking at least 10 alcoholic drinks left his two-year-old daughter to die in the back of his burning car after lying to officers and firefighters about where she was, police say.

Nicholas Stemen, 34, was sentenced to at least 22 years in prison after the death of his two-year-old daughter, Lillyanna, in North-west Ohio, in America. Prosecutors say the tragedy was a result of drinking, reckless driving and devastating neglect.

Stemen had drunk at least 10 alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel. He was spotted driving erratically, with the vehicle missing one of its tyres. The car then became a fireball.

The father managed to escape, but left his two-year-little girl strapped in her seat. Police found him standing in the road, slurring his words and barely being able to stand up. As firefighters sought to stop the blaze, Stemen told them there was no one else in the car. He claimed his daughter Lillyanna was with her grandfather. 

Devastatingly, after the fire was extinguished, a chief looked into the SUV and saw a small body still strapped in a car seat. After seeing skin and blood on the seat, she knew it was a human. 

Stemen confessed to police he had consumed at least 10 drinks that night and had blacked out. 

Nicholas Stemen claims he has no recollection of what happened (Image: Allen County Sheriff's Office)

Lillyanna’s mother read an emotional statement at his sentencing.

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

The father maintained he had no recollection of anything leading up to the fire but pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment last month.

A judge sentenced him to at least 22 years and up to 27 years and six months in prison.