A 3-year-old girl died early Thursday and her 32-year-old mother was charged with homicide in which the child had “bruising and marks on her neck which are consistent with strangulation-type injuries,” according to police.
Solange J. White of Exeter Township was committed to Berks County Prison without bail on homicide and related charges after arraignment before District Judge Sandra Fegley in the death of the child, whose name was not released by authorities.
“This is just a tragic, tragic event that has taken place,” said Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams. “It’s so sad for the community and for the family to have suffered this loss.”
Adams said that as the case evolves it will become evident that mental health matters played a role.
“There was concern by the family (beforehand),” he said.
The coroner’s office said an autopsy on the child is set for Saturday. The girl was pronounced dead at 4:36 a.m. in Reading Hospital, officials said.
Exeter police were called to a Reiffton home in the 100 block of West 46th Street shortly after 3:30 a.m. for an unconscious 3-year-old child.
Sgt. Sean Fullerton, Exeter police public information officer, said officers responded to a 911 call about 3:40 a.m. Thursday for a 3-year-old who was in cardiac arrest in the home in the 100 block of West 46th Street. Based on initial information provided by police, the description of the 911 call in an earlier version of this article was incorrect.
Police gave this account:
A witness was awakened by White, who urged the witness to get a gun.
The witness asked, “What have you done?” and went to check on the children in the house.
The witness found the victim not moving and blue in the face.
Others in the house called 911 and began CPR until police and medics arrived.
Police found White at the front door crying when officers arrived.
