Additional charges have been filed against the adopted daughter of MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley for allegedly abandoning her child in New Hampshire woods during 18-degree temperatures.
WCVB stated that in addition to the initial charges of felony reckless conduct and endangering the welfare of a child, Alexandra Eckersley is additionally charged with second-degree assault with extreme disregard and manipulating physical evidence.
According to a news source, the 26-year-old woman heard of the new accusations during her phone arraignment on Tuesday afternoon while she remained hospitalized.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., the Manchester police responded to a complaint of a woman who had given birth in a tent in the woods. Officials discovered the exposed infant battling to breathe near the Piscataquog River on Monday.
Alexandra Eckersley has been charged with felony reckless behavior, child endangerment, second-degree assault with severe indifference, and manipulating physical evidence.
Manchester NH Police
According to an affidavit reported by WCVB, Eckersley told police she was unaware she was pregnant and admitting to consuming cocaine and marijuana in the days preceding the birth of her child.
She is also accused of lying to police about the baby’s location and claiming she gave birth prematurely.
During the arraignment, the prosecution stated that the 4-pound infant was intubated at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover.
WCVB reported on Monday that Manchester police chief Allen Aldenberg stated the infant’s condition was improving.
“There is no justification for this,” Aldenberg stated.
“If you chose to live in the woods and live your life a certain way, and you don’t want to accept our daily outreach in this city, and you want to live out there and live your life that way, that’s great,” he said.
“However, you are not permitted to do this, as we allege here. You cannot do this to a child,” Aldenberg continued.
According to the TV station, under New Hampshire’s Safe Haven Law, infants up to seven days old may be left at any fire station, hospital, police station, or church.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., the Manchester police responded to a complaint of a woman who had given birth in a tent in the woods.
WCVB stated that the mother of Eckersley, Nancy, told officials that she and Eckersley’s father, Dennis, offered their homeless daughter addiction treatment for years, but she rejected.
Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Carl Olson was allegedly quoted as saying, “They had an open offer for her to return home on the condition that she undergo treatment for drug addiction, but she chose not to.”
The infant was discovered struggling to breathe along the Piscataquog River when the temperature dipped to 18 degrees, according to officials.
Additionally, Eckersley admitted to consuming cocaine and marijuana in the days preceding her delivery.
According to the judge, the suspect must also remain in a sober facility, with a parent, or in a state-approved residence.
Dennis, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004, pitched for the Indians, Red Sox, Cubs, Athletics, and Cardinals over the course of 24 seasons, from 1975 to 1998.
In 1992, he received six All-Star nominations, the AL MVP honor, and the AL Cy Young Award. In 1988, he was voted ALCS MVP, and in 1989, he won the World Series with the Athletics.
The daughter of Major League Baseball pitcher Dennis Eckersley has been charged with abandoning her infant in the New Hampshire woods.
The infant, who weighs only 4 pounds, was intubated at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, and his condition is improving, according to WCVB prosecutors.
After 19 years as a broadcaster for the Boston Red Sox, he retired from NESN in October.
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