Daughter of Hall of Fame Pitcher Dennis Eckersley Says She Thought Baby Died After She Gave Birth
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Alexandra Eckersley, the daughter of baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley, testified at her trial on Wednesday that she believed her newborn son had died after giving birth in the woods on Christmas night in 2022. Alexandra, 27, was homeless at the time and living in a tent in Manchester, New Hampshire.
During her testimony, Alexandra recounted the harrowing events of that night. She explained that she had no prior knowledge of her pregnancy and thought she was suffering from constipation when she began experiencing severe stomach pains. "It felt like a knife stabbing into my stomach," she said. She did not recognize the symptoms as those of labor and only realized she had been pregnant when the baby was born.
Alexandra testified that she did not look at her baby and asked a man who was staying with her to check for a pulse, which he said he could not find. Believing the baby to be dead, she and the man decided to seek help but had no cellphone service. They began walking toward an ice arena, leaving the baby in the tent.
Prosecutors argued that the baby was left alone for more than an hour in subfreezing temperatures, suffering from respiratory distress and hypothermia. Prosecutor Shawn Sweeney emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "This is about that baby, lying on the ground, freezing to death."
Alexandra pleaded not guilty to charges of assault, reckless conduct, falsifying evidence, and endangering the welfare of a child. Her defense attorney, Kim Kossick, highlighted her client's lack of awareness and mental health issues, stating, "Ally had no clue what was happening."
A forensic psychologist testified that Alexandra was suffering from mental health and developmental issues diagnosed since childhood, as well as substance abuse disorder, but was not receiving treatment for these conditions at the time of the incident.
The trial, which began on July 25, reached the jury on Wednesday afternoon, with deliberations expected to resume on Thursday morning.
Alexandra has been living full-time with her son and family in Massachusetts since earlier this year. The Eckersley family released a statement expressing their shock and stating that they had no prior knowledge of her pregnancy. They emphasized her long-standing mental health struggles and their efforts to provide support and assistance.
Dennis Eckersley, who attended the trial this week, enjoyed a storied career in baseball, pitching for teams including Cleveland, Boston, Chicago, Oakland, and St. Louis. He won the AL Cy Young and MVP awards in 1992 while playing for the Oakland Athletics and retired from broadcasting Boston Red Sox games in 2022.
This case highlights the complex interplay of mental health, substance abuse, and the challenges faced by individuals in vulnerable situations. Alexandra's testimony and the ongoing trial underscore the need for comprehensive support and understanding in such critical circumstances.