Man left infants in trash bin

A US man who left an infant and a toddler in a plastic trash bin on a hot July day has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Tommie Johnson Jr., 39, cried and apologised before his sentencing in Toledo, Ohio today.

Prosecutors say Johnson put the 8-month-old boy and 2-year-old girl in the trash after a dispute with their mother and later told police officers he had intended to retrieve them. Two electricians rescued the thirsty, hungry children about 13 hours later after hearing them cry.

Johnson pleaded no contest about two weeks ago to attempted murder, kidnapping, domestic violence and tampering with evidence.

The children are in the custody of a welfare agency.

- AP