David Lance Steadman, age 27, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole for his role in the death of his four (4) year old daughter, Lilly Lopez.

Circuit Court Judge Eugene C. Griffith, Jr. imposed the sentence following Steadman’s trial this week in Lexington County on the Homicide by Child Abuse charge. The jury returned a verdict of guilty after the five day trial. Under South Carolina law, Steadman will not be eligible for parole. The Homicide by Child Abuse statute includes child neglect.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes and Assistant Solicitor Robby McNair.

On the evening of July 31, 2017, the Lexington County 911 Center received a call at 9:05 pm to the home of David Steadman on Nazareth Road. First responders found Lilly unresponsive on the living room floor and began CPR. Lilly was pronounced dead after arrival at the Lexington Medical Center. The law enforcement investigation by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department determined evidence of child abuse and neglect. Another person has also been charged in the case.

Evidence presented at trial included statements that were made by Steadman to investigators over the course of two weeks. Steadman provided statements to law enforcement acknowledging child neglect. Steadman stated that when he arrived home from work, he observed Lilly restrained to the bed with tape. Steadman admitted in a written statement, after being advised of his Miranda Rights, that he observed his daughter in medical distress and failed to provide necessary medical care. Steadman provided statements admitting that there was a significant delay in calling 911. He stated that after Lilly was untaped from the bed, he placed her into the shower while she was in medical distress. Steadman stated that he then left the bathroom and watched Netflix on his phone in another room.

Evidence recovered from Steadman’s phone by CSI Detective Mike Phipps confirmed that Steadman was home with Lilly during the evening and that he was watching Netflix beginning around 8:25 pm. The 911 call was received at 9:05 pm from another adult in the home.

Steadman is being transferred to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of his sentence.