On June 30, 2022, at approximately 3:41 a.m., a 3-year-old girl was found unresponsive, blue in color, and not breathing at her home in the 100 block of W. 46th Street in Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Her mother, Solange White, strangled the child, causing visible bruising and marks on her neck consistent with strangulation injuries. The child's father discovered her and initiated CPR; emergency services were called but the child was pronounced dead at the hospital. White, who was reportedly suffering from postpartum depression after the birth of a one-year-old sibling also in the home, was charged with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated assault. The family had no prior child welfare involvement.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states "the mother strangled the child and the injuries sustained caused the death of the child." The news article corroborates this, noting officers observed "visible bruising and marks" on the child's neck which were "consistent with strangulation-type injuries." Strangulation is a clear inflicted injury (choking).
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states the mother was named as the perpetrator: "Berks County Children and Youth Services indicated the report on August 4, 2022, naming the victim child's mother as the perpetrator." The news article identifies the mother as Solange White and confirms the child's parents were home, indicating the perpetrator is the biological mother.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The fatality report states: "At the time the report was indicated, the mother had been criminally charged." The news article specifies that "Solange White is also charged with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
The news article quotes a neighbor who stated the mother "was going through postpartum depression" and that "She was seeing doctors and she was in a home for a while. I thought she seemed better." This is a direct reference to the parent/caregiver's mental health.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article contains a notable detail not covered by preceding questions: a witness told police the mother repeatedly asked him to "get a gun" immediately after the strangulation, suggesting possible suicidal ideation or intent for further violence following the killing. Additionally, the neighbor's account that the mother had been receiving mental health treatment — "seeing doctors and she was in a home for a while" — and appeared to be improving before the incident raises questions about the adequacy of mental health intervention and follow-up. The fatality report notes the family had no prior child welfare involvement, despite this known history of postpartum depression and apparent inpatient treatment.
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