DURHAM, N.C. — A Durham man who stuffed a 3-year-old girl inside a plastic trash bag and left her in a 115-degree attic is going to prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping and other crimes.

Samuel King, 27, was sentenced to between nine and 15 years. He received the sentence in Durham County Superior Court after pleading guilty to felonious breaking and entering, two counts of first-degree kidnapping and assaulting a female.

A charge of attempted first-degree murder was dismissed as part of King's plea bargain.

Prosecutors said King broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend and her family in April 2002. They say he pepper-sprayed the woman, punched her in the face and demanded to have sex.

The woman escaped and ran next door to call police, leaving behind her 3-year-old half-sister. Deputies found the girl inside the trash bag with duct tape over her mouth and the bag tied shut.

The girl, who reportedly has recovered, became unconscious and almost died after spending 20 minutes in the attic.