Pennsylvania Woman Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Strangling Daughter

A 37-year-old woman from Exeter Township, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to between 16 and 40 years in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill to the third-degree murder of her three-year-old daughter. The tragic incident occurred on June 30, 2022, when emergency responders were called to a home where the child was found unresponsive.

According to reports from local media outlets, the victim's mother, Solange J. White, woke up a witness in their shared residence and instructed him to retrieve a firearm. Upon questioning by the witness about her actions, she led him to the children’s room, where he discovered the young girl not moving and appearing cyanotic. The witness immediately began performing CPR while waiting for medical assistance.

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, White was reportedly crying near the front door of the house. She had previously inflicted self-harm injuries, which raised concerns among investigators about her mental state. Following the child's death at a local hospital, White faced charges including homicide and related offenses, with bail set at zero dollars.

On August 18, 2026, just as her trial was scheduled to commence, White entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill for third-degree murder. This decision came after family members had expressed worries about her mental health prior to the incident and had plans for her to receive treatment. Neighbors who had cared for the child in the past confirmed that White suffered from postpartum depression and had been under medical supervision.

Throughout the legal proceedings, White has remained housed at a state psychiatric facility. She waived her right to a speedy trial multiple times during this period. On August 20, she was officially sentenced by the Berks County District Attorney's office to serve between 16 and 40 years in prison for the fatal strangulation of her daughter.

The case highlights ongoing challenges associated with addressing mental health issues within families and underscores the critical need for early intervention and support systems. The tragic outcome also serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from untreated or inadequately managed psychiatric conditions.