Nicholas Stemen’s case was transferred to common pleas court Friday after he waived his preliminary hearing in municipal court.
Charlotte Caldwell | The Lima News
LIMA — An Elida man charged with involuntary manslaughter after the death of his daughter in a car fire waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Lima Municipal Court on Friday. A grand jury will now hear his case in Allen County Common Pleas Court.
Bond for Nicholas Stemen, 33, was continued at $1 million. If bond is posted, Stemen would be prohibited from driving.
The charge came from an incident that occurred on Zion Church Road on Sept. 25. According to a news release from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 9:51 p.m. dispatch received a call about an irrational driver who was swerving and possibly driving on a wheel rim. While en route, deputies were advised the vehicle came to a stop near Shenk Road and caught fire.
The car was fully engulfed in flames when deputies arrived. Stemen exited the car without injuries. When American Township firefighters extinguished the fire, they found Stemen’s daughter, Lillyanna Stemen, who was almost 3 years old, in the back seat. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.
