Teri Rhodes

Teri Rhodes is a former college athlete who is accused of asphyxiating her secret newborn baby girl. Originally from Commerce, Michigan, Rhodes was a volleyball player at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania when the incident occurred in August 2007. She was charged with a general count of criminal homicide on September 19, 2007, as well as concealing the death of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment, and abuse of a corpse.
Early Life
Teri Rhodes was born on October 15, 1988 to Mark and Mary Rhodes. She grew up in Commerce, Michigan and attended Ladywood High School in Livonia. In high school, Teri played volleyball and was on the track and field team. After graduating, she enrolled in Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania, and was studying biology and medical technology. At Mercyhurst, Teri was a setter on the volleyball team. Later she claimed she did not know she was pregnant until feet emerged, and had passed a volleyball physical two days before giving birth. Neither her friends, family, coaches, or colleagues knew of her pregnancy. The baby lived for approximately ten minutes until she placed the baby in a plastic bag. In November 2008, Erie County Judge William Cunningham sentenced Teri to 9 to 18 years in state prison, almost the maximum sentence for the crime. The sentence reportedly shocked both the district attorney and Teri's defense attorney. Both were expecting a lighter sentence. Teri and her defense attorney planned to appeal the sentence, and was granted bail in February 2009.
New Sentencing
On New Year's Eve 2009, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania vacated Teri's sentence. The superior court concluded that the trial judge abused his discretion in sentencing Teri, stating the sentence was "manifestly effective." The court also deemed an abuse of discretion by refusing Teri's request for recusal. Having already served 3 months in prison, Teri will be eligible for parole in March 2014. She is incarcerated at the minimum security State Correctional Institution in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.

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