EXETER TWP., Pa. — A Berks County woman is behind bars without bail on criminal charges in connection with the killing of her 3-year-old daughter.
Solange White, 32, was charged Thursday with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of children, and aggravated assault.
A 911 call from the family's home in the 100 block of West 46th Street in Exeter Township summoned the police and paramedics for the report of an unresponsive child.
A man inside the home reported that he believed White had strangled the 3-year-old, who was not moving and was blue in the face, according to court documents.
"This is a horrific tragedy for our community, for this family," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams.
Police said they met White outside, and she was crying and upset.
Inside, they found people performing CPR on the victim and noticed visible marks and bruising on her neck, consistent with strangulation-type injuries, according to the court documents.
Officers said they spoke with the witness, who told them White woke him up saying he needed to get a gun. He then asked, "What did you do?" before finding the child lifeless, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The young victim was taken to Reading Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
"I just couldn't stop crying," said neighbor Cathy Fry, who has known the family for decades. "They were wonderful. The kids were wonderful... I would have never, ever expected that."
The news sent shockwaves through the community.
"Our neighborhood is a pretty sleepy neighborhood," said neighbor Trina Abla. "We're not in the city. We don't see crime, and so it's pretty shocking. It's right here in our backyard."
For Abla, it's the unthinkable.
"I heard about it this morning, and it's heart wrenching. I'm a mom, and your first instinct is to protect, and so it's just devastating. I can't think about anything else today."
Authorities and neighbors are looking for answers.
"I just can't get the anxiety to stop," Fry said. "It's just sad. It's just, I don't. It's sad."
"It's a lady who killed her child," said neighbor James Odira. "I mean, that's really sad, especially for this place."
White was also taken to the hospital for undisclosed injuries. She was treated, released, and then taken into custody.
"Any parent will tell you or any person, it's a tragedy no matter what way you look at it," said Sgt. Sean Fullerton, with the Exeter Township Police Department.
A peaceful neighborhood, bewildered before the July Fourth holiday weekend.
"It's difficult to celebrate when you hear something like this has just happened in your neighborhood," Odira said. "It's really a somber moment."
White is expected in court on July 13.
"We will see that justice is done in this situation," Adams said.
