What possessed 18-year old Drexel University freshman Mia Sardella nearly two years ago to hide a pregnancy from her family and friends? To give birth to a baby boy in secret at the Drexel Hill home of her wealthy family? Then stuff (!) her son into a pink duffel bag? Stash it in the trunk of her mother’s Volkswagen for three weeks? Who knows?
But last Thursday, she was sentenced to 45 days in prison. Minus the time she’s already served. And get this. Ms. Sardella gets to serve HER time on the weekends. Because God forbid her EDUCATION should be disrupted.
Phil Heron, editor of the Delco Times, believes she’s paid the price. Others believe the case was influenced by the fact that Sardella is the granddaughter of Albert E. Piscopo, chief executive of the Glenmede Trust Co.
Local blogger JudiPhilly writes on her site, “The case is heartbreaking. Not only because of the loss of life of her infant son, but the life of a young woman who make a tragic mistake that she will pay for well beyond the sentence served. Yet many others have done far less, but receive the harsh hand of justice, merely because they are less fortunate…The moral of the story is simple: the quality of mercy is much better if you come from the right place.”
Whaddya think? Continue reading
