A former Exeter Township woman who admitted to strangling her 3-year-old daughter four years ago while mentally ill has been given a 16- to 40-year state prison sentence for third-degree murder.
The sentence was announced Thursday afternoon by Berks County Judge Thomas G. Parisi, two days after Solange J. White, 37, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to third-degree murder. The plea averted a non-jury trial that had been scheduled to begin Tuesday.
White, who has been confined to a state psychiatric facility, had waived her right to a speedy trial numerous times as her lawyers requested additional time to prepare her defense.
District Attorney John T. Adams indicated at the time of her arrest on June 30, 2022, that as the case evolved it would become evident that mental health issues played a role in the tragedy. He said the family was concerned about her mental health, and she was about to undergo professional treatment.
Police gave this account:
Exeter police responded to a 3:40 a.m. 911 call from the residence in the 100 block of West 46th Street in Reiffton. The caller reported a 3-year-old girl was unconscious and said he believed White had strangled her.
White’s husband told police that he was awakened by White, who urged him to get a gun. He asked, “What have you done?” and went to check on the children in the house. He found the victim motionless and blue in the face.
STEVEN HENSHAW — READING EAGLE
Police protect the scene in the 100 block of West 46th Street in Exeter Township on June 30, 2022, hours after a child was found dead. (STEVEN HENSHAW READING EAGLE)
People inside the home attempted lifesaving measures. Investigators noticed marks and bruising on her neck, consistent with strangulation-type injuries.
Police found White at the front door crying when they arrived.
The prosecution was preparing for a trial this week when White’s attorney, Matthew S. Kopecki, informed Assistant District Attorney Meg McCallum and the judge that White wanted to change her plea after four years.
During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing that followed the plea, McCallum called four family members to speak.
Several people — friends and loved ones — spoke on behalf of the defense. Several letters were submitted by members of the community on the behalf of White.
McCallum, the lead prosecutor, described a long day of emotional testimony in a case that has stretched out for more than four years. She also submitted for the judge’s consideration the mental health evaluation completed by a psychiatrist retained by the prosecution.
McCallum and Adams agreed the guilty-but-mentally ill plea was the appropriate outcome based on the totality of the witness statements and mental health findings.
Adams said the psychiatrist his office retained determined White was competent to stand trial but qualified for a guilty-but-mentally-ill prosecution.
“This is just a horrible case,” Adams said Friday, reflecting on the outcome. “I feel it was the right thing to happen. There are no winners here. This was a tragic, just terrible situation.”
He said White will be transferred to a state prison designated for inmates with psychiatric disorders.
“I’m sure she will be receiving intensive mental health treatment while incarcerated,” Adams said.