A Liberal man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for trying to kill his three children by slitting their throats.

Thirty-year-old Irineo Garcia was sentenced Friday in Seward County for three counts of attempted second-degree murder.

The Liberal man initially was charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder for trying to kill his children, ages 5, 6 and 7, on Oct. 18, 2010, at his home.

Prosecutors say he also tried to kill himself. The children and Garcia were found injured at their home after his estranged wife notified police.

Seward County Attorney Don Scott says the three children spoke during the sentencing hearing. They said that although they were mad at their father, they still loved him.