The trial for Alexandra Eckersley, daughter of Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley, commenced Thursday in New Hampshire. Alexandra, 27, is accused of abandoning her newborn in the woods on Christmas night 2022. Prosecutors say the child was left for over an hour in subfreezing temperatures, ultimately suffering hypothermia and respiratory distress. She has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including assault and child endangerment.
Alexandra was homeless at the time and contends she was unaware of her pregnancy, thinking the baby had died. Her defense attorney, Jordan Strand, argued she was in a state of emotional turmoil, exacerbated by substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and no cell service to summon help. "She was in a heightened emotional state, not thinking clearly," Strand emphasized during his opening statement.
Prosecutor Alexander Gatzoulis accused Eckersley of misleading first responders by providing false information about the baby's location. He stated that nearly an hour after birth, Alexandra admitted the baby had been alive and crying, altering the search dynamics. The baby was eventually discovered alive but in critical condition.
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Dennis Eckersley's family expressed their shock and noted Alexandra has battled severe mental illness throughout her life. They have since taken her and the baby into their Massachusetts home. Dennis Eckersley, an accomplished pitcher, and later a Red Sox broadcaster, retired in 2022. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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