Correction: Allen County Deputies were responding to 911 call of a car possibly driving on the rim, when they found Stemen the car was already on fire.
LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — An Elida man charged with the death of his daughter pleaded guilty to some of the charges a week before his trial was set to begin.
Nicholas Stemen, 34, pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering children charges in connection with the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Lillyanna.
As part of the plea deal, a murder charge and another endangering children charge were dropped. Stemen agreed to a minimum prison sentence of 22 years, according to the agreement with prosecutors.
In September 2024, Allen County Sheriff's deputies responding to a call of a irrational driver that was possibly driving on the rim of his car. The car was on fire when the deputies arrived.
Stemen was outside of the car. After the fire was extinguished, deputies discovered Lillyanna’s body in the back seat.
Stemen is scheduled to be sentenced in November.
