A father’s voice cracked in a Brooklyn courtroom as he shared the last words his four-year-old daughter Liliana Stephens Merdy ever spoke to him. On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Shamir Small stood before the judge sentencing his ex-partner Erin Merdy and delivered a victim impact statement that left everyone present in silence. Liliana had begged not to return to her mother, saying she was “scared to go back to mommy” and wanted to stay with her father and grandmother instead.

Erin Merdy, 34, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty in March to three counts of first-degree murder. On September 12, 2022, she took her three young children — Zachary Merdy, 7; Liliana Stephens Merdy, 4; and three-month-old Oliver Bondarev — to the beach near West 35th Street in Coney Island shortly after midnight. She drowned them in the ocean and left their small bodies along the shoreline.

Shamir Small recalled the final time he saw his daughter. Liliana clung to him, terrified of returning to her mother’s care. “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’,” he told the court. He also shared that he told her, “I hope I see you again,” words that now carry unbearable weight.

The tragedy exposed deep cracks in the system. Merdy had a documented history of mental health struggles, including postpartum depression and possible psychosis. Despite warning signs and prior involvement with child protective services, the children were returned to her care. That night in 2022, she walked barefoot and wet along the Coney Island boardwalk after the act, eventually reaching the apartment of Oliver’s father.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez described the killings as “shocking and unspeakable,” noting that no sentence could truly measure the loss of three young lives full of potential. Zachary was a bright seven-year-old, Liliana a loving four-year-old who adored her family, and Oliver a tiny infant just beginning his life. Their deaths sent ripples of grief through New York City and beyond.

In court, Merdy’s sentencing brought a measure of legal closure but no comfort for the families. Small’s statement highlighted the innocence lost and the father’s enduring pain. He spoke not only of Liliana’s fear but of the unbreakable bond she shared with him and her grandmother. The courtroom heard how Liliana had expressed anxiety about visiting her mother in the weeks leading up to the tragedy, a red flag that now haunts everyone who failed to act on it.

Mental health experts following the case pointed to the complexities of postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe condition that can lead to delusions and harm. Merdy’s defense highlighted her struggles, while prosecutors pushed for accountability, arguing the system should have done more to protect the children. The sentence of 20 years to life reflects a balance between punishment and recognition of her mental health history, though many, including the victims’ families, felt it was not enough.

This case has reignited national conversations about child welfare, domestic violence, and mental health support for parents. Advocates are calling for better screening, faster intervention when children express fear, and more resources for families in crisis. Liliana’s words — simple, innocent, and terrified — have become a rallying cry for change so no other child’s plea goes unheard.

The Coney Island shoreline, once a place of joy for countless families, now carries the memory of unimaginable loss. Memorials with flowers, toys, and photos continue to appear where the children were found. Community vigils honor their short lives and demand better protection for vulnerable kids.

Shamir Small’s courage in court to share Liliana’s final plea ensures her voice lives on. “I hope I see you again” — words spoken in love that became a permanent farewell. For the families left behind, the grief has no end date. For society, the tragedy serves as a painful lesson: children’s fears must be taken seriously, warning signs cannot be ignored, and every parent in crisis needs real support before it’s too late.

As Erin Merdy begins her sentence, the names Zachary, Liliana, and Oliver remain etched in the hearts of those who loved them. Their story is one of innocence stolen, a father’s unending sorrow, and a little girl’s brave attempt to stay safe that the world failed to protect.