Brooklyn, New York — Heartbreaking new details emerged in a Brooklyn courtroom as the father of a 4-year-old girl killed by her mother revealed the child had begged not to return home shortly before her death.
The emotional testimony came during the sentencing of Erin Merdy, the New York mother who admitted to drowning her three young children in the ocean near Coney Island in September 2022.
Father Reveals Daughter’s Haunting Final Words
During the court proceedings, Shamir Small, the father of 4-year-old Liliana Stephens Merdy, shared the painful memory that continues to haunt him every day.
“The last thing Lily said to me and my mother — which will forever haunt me — was ‘I’m scared to go back to mommy, and want to stay here with you and grandma’,” Small said in his emotional victim impact statement.
The grieving father also revealed that before Liliana left, he told her, “I hope I see you again.”
Those heartbreaking words would become their final exchange before the little girl was killed alongside her siblings.
Mother Sentenced for Drowning Three Children
Merdy, now 34 years old, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to drowning her children — Zachary, 7; Liliana, 4; and Oliver Bondarev, just 3 months old.
The killings took place near the family’s Coney Island home on the night of Sept. 12, 2022, in a case that shocked New York City and devastated relatives.
During sentencing, Merdy described the tragic night as a “blur” and claimed she was struggling with severe postpartum depression.
“If I had to describe it, I was on autopilot,” Merdy told the court. “I couldn’t remember most of what happened.”
She also claimed she loved her children and had battled postpartum depression following the birth of each child, especially after baby Oliver was born.
Family Members Express Anger and Grief
Despite Merdy’s emotional statements, several family members made it clear they could not forgive what happened.
Jim Kobal, the uncle of baby Oliver, strongly condemned Merdy during the hearing.
“There will forever be a hole in our hearts because of this heinous monster,” Kobal said before adding that there is a “special place in hell” for her.
Relatives described the killings as life-altering, saying the tragedy permanently destroyed the happiness and stability of the family.
Disturbing Events Before the Children Were Found
According to investigators, concerned relatives contacted police around 1 a.m. after fearing Merdy may have harmed the children.
Authorities later found Merdy wandering barefoot along Coney Island beach, wearing a bathrobe and appearing disoriented.
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Law enforcement sources said Merdy had allegedly called family members earlier and admitted that she “drowned all three kids.”
The children were later discovered unresponsive along the shoreline just blocks away from the family’s apartment. They were transported to Coney Island Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Judge Explains Sentencing Decision
Brooklyn prosecutors reportedly wanted to pursue a trial and seek life without parole, but Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Danny Chun allowed Merdy to plead guilty earlier this year.
During sentencing, the judge explained why he believed life without parole was not appropriate in this case.
“Life without parole would not be most appropriate, even though she took the lives of those three children,” Judge Chun said.
He added that such punishment is generally “reserved for special circumstances” and noted that Merdy appeared remorseful during court appearances over the past three years.
The devastating case continues to spark emotional reactions as loved ones struggle to cope with the unimaginable loss of three young children.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case and the sentencing decision? Share your opinion respectfully in the comments below.
