Thursday, April 29, 2010

Dad sentenced to 17 years in prison for leaving kids in trash dumpster (Dayton, Ohio)

We've reported on dad TOMMIE JOHNSON, JR. numerous times before. Now he's finally going to prison.

http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/local/dayton/Dad-sentenced-for-dumping-kids-in-trash

Dad sentenced for dumping kids in trash
Tommie Johnson, Jr. will go to prison for 17 years

Updated: Wednesday, 28 Apr 2010, 5:55 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 28 Apr 2010, 5:55 PM EDT

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The man who threw two children into a trash can will be heading to prison.

A Montgomery county judge sentenced Tommie Johnson, Junior to 17 years in prison.

Johnson pleaded no contest to charges against him earlier this week. Those charges included two counts of attempted murder and four counts of kidnapping.

Police say Johson took his girlfriends 23-month old daughter, and 8-month old son and threw them into a dumpster. Those kids were in that dumpster for 13 hours.

In court on Wednesday afternoon, Johson broke down and cried, saying he was sorry, and asking for forgiveness.

Part of the crime was caught on tape by surveillance cameras behind East Second Street, in Dayton.

The children were found when two electricians in the area heard them crying.

Authorities said Johnson took the children after a domestic dispute with their mother, and threw them into the trash.

Montgomery County prosecuters said, it's ironic this sentencing takes place during Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Week.

Prosecuters said, Johnson's tears and apologies come a little too late in the case.

"Those tears were for the benefit of the court today, since he was caught, but having worked this case when he had the opportunity to tell them where the children were, he led them on wild goose chases all over the area," said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Erin Claypool.

"Today the defendant mentions he's sorry it was a grave mistake that he made, well it was not a mistake, it was intentional act. Sorry is too late," said Montgomery County Prosecuter Mat Heck.
Prosecuters said both of the children were now in foster care, in Montgomery County.