Sheboygan man sentenced to 14 years in prison for causing crash that killed 4-year-old girl

 

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The man charged in a fatal car crash that killed a child last year in Sheboygan will now spend 14 years behind bars.

On Thursday, 25-year-old Nathan Heitzmann had his sentencing hearing at the Sheboygan County Courthouse.

"This is an unimaginable loss of a precious and beautiful child," said Judge Rebecca Persick, while addressing Heitzmann directly.

In April 2023, Heitzmann was driving while on a suspended license, and failed to stop at a stop sign, hitting another car.

Police said that car then jumped the curb and struck 4-year-old Cordelia Kuether, who had stopped to pet a dog while on a walk with her family. 

“You are responsible for taking the life of another human being and a child who was full of promise," Judge Persick said.

Heitzmann's family and loved ones were at the sentencing Thursday, supporting him from behind the glass.

“This is a lifelong lesson for me and something I will never forget," Heitzmann said. "I am so sorry.”

Kuether's two grandmothers spoke out, emotional in court. 

“I had to grieve and once I did, I didn’t stop crying," Risha Capetillo said.

Angela Schuessler agreed, adding that "we don’t just lose her once, we lose her every time we open our eyes to a new day.”

Kuether's mother, Ezra Cruz, said she is now in therapy because of what happened.

“A lot of the memories of that day and on are becoming stronger than the memories of her life," Cruz said. “Almost every time that we start to feel like a happy moment with the family, it’s squandered almost immediately with the grief and the reminder that there’s one person missing.”

Her father, Devon Kuether, said he'll always remember her love for her family.

“Now I sit in a home, one less child," Kuether said. 

Besides the 14 years in prison, Heitzmann is also facing 13 years of extended supervision. He must also remain sober and have zero contact with the victim's family.