A Florida woman who admitted to killing her newborn baby in Greenwich nearly 40 years ago will not go to jail.

On Tuesday, Janita Philips was sentenced to five years of probation as part of an agreement that had her previously plead guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter.

Her sentencing marked the end of a case that sent shockwaves through the town in 1986 and remained cold for decades.

Philips, now 65, addressed the court during her sentencing hearing. It was the first time she’s spoken publicly since her arrest in 2021.

“I'm standing here today with a deep sense of regret and humility. I fully understand the gravity of the situation I’m in, and never being in trouble before, I take full responsibility for my actions,” Philips said, getting emotional. “I made a horrific mistake.”

Philips was initially charged with murder after new DNA technology linked her to the cold case.

On the morning of May 16, 1986, a sanitation worker discovered the baby in the back of his truck after emptying a dumpster next to an apartment building on Havemeyer Place.

Greenwich police said that’s where Philips secretly gave birth in her apartment, then strangled the child and left him in the dumpster.

Stamford State's Attorney Paul Ferencek said though the facts of the case are “horrific,” the prosecution agreed to a plea deal without jail time because of a psychological evaluation that found Philips was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance at the time of the killing.

“It seems clear to the state that at the time this happened, she was under a number of psychological and financial stressors that led her to lash out in this extremely irrational and bizarre way,” Ferencek said. “She's going to have to live with this for the rest of her life and ultimately will have to answer to a higher authority.”

Ferencek said other factors also led to the offer, including Philips' full admission once confronted by police with evidence she was the dead baby's mom.

“Frankly, but for her cooperation and her confession, there would not have been an arrest in this case because the state would not have been able to prove who killed this child,” Ferencek told the court. “The state's view is we saw real shame and real remorse on her part.”

Philips' attorneys reiterated that.

“The one thing that she's never done is deny her culpability in this matter, and she's been nothing from contrite,” stated Attorney Stephen DeLeo.

Both sides agreed that over the past 39 years, Philips has led an exemplary life, with no run-ins with the justice system. They also noted she's the caregiver for her sick husband and disabled adult son.

“If she were to go to jail, this would be, in essence, punishing them,” Ferencek said.

“Incarcerating Ms. Philips, really at this point in time, does not serve an end,” added DeLeo.

Attorney Lindy Urso, who also represents Philips, pointed out the rarity of both sides being in agreement.

“Attorney Ferencek's not particularly known for generous to the defense sentences, so I think it says a lot that he's shown some mercy for Ms. Philips, and I would ask the court to honor the agreement between the parties,” Urso concluded.

Judge Gary White did, noting that he was initially inclined to reject the agreement based on the facts of the case. But White changed his mind after looking more closely at the circumstances. He pointed to the details of the psychological report and her support of her husband and son.

“I do believe she's sincere and will live with pain the rest of her life,” White said before sentencing Philips to probation. "Justice has to be tempered by mercy. We don’t do cookie-cutter sentences.”

As part of her sentence, Philips must also complete 250 hours of community service and receive mental health treatment. If she violates probation, she faces up to 20 years in jail.