In the heart of winter just over a year ago, the then 27-year-old Alexandra Eckersley found herself in an unimaginable situation: giving birth alone inside a frigid tent deep within the New Hampshire woods. Famously, Alexandra is the daughter of Dennis Eckersley, a Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher who enjoyed a storied career that spanned over two decades.
Last week, Alexandra, now due for trial on charges concerning reckless conduct and assault, appeared in Manchester court alongside her young son, born in extreme circumstances on December 26, 2022.
It is said that post childbirth, the infant was inadvertently left unattended for over an hour in the cold tent with temperatures hitting a biting 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The accusation leveled against Alexandra claims her son was left defenseless, without proper apparel or a source of heat, prompting charges of child abandonment. To these severe allegations, Alexandra has pleaded not guilty, and was subsequently released on bail, with her trial set for July.
In a twist to the narrative, another man embroiled in this incident met a different fate, having been held up in jail for a year, after capitulating to a charge of child endangerment.
Sharing light on Alexandra’s predicament, defense attorney Kim Kossick implies that she harbored no awareness of her pregnancy. Kossick asserts that despite the grueling ordeal, Alexandra wasted no time in dialing emergency services, leading them to her newborn. Kossick also suggests that Eckersley suffered a significant medical crisis, which contributed to her precarious situation.
Fast forward to the present, and Alexandra, who commenced living with her mother in Massachusetts earlier this year, has successfully reclaimed her role as a full-time parent. Prior to this, she had been allowed visitation rights to interact with her child for several days each week. Furthermore, Kossick revealed that the young mother has been dutifully attending parenting classes.
Despite the upcoming trial, Kossick remains hopeful of avoiding it. She expressed, “There’s always ongoing negotiations, but as of now, it’s scheduled for trial.” The representation for the state declined to provide any comments.
In a fitting footnote to the saga, the famed Dennis Eckersley, Alexandra’s father, who showcased his pitching prowess across stints with Cleveland, Boston, Chicago, Oakland, and St. Louis, retired from his commendable broadcasting career with the Boston Red Sox games in 2022.
At the close of the year of Alexandra’s trial and tribulation, Dennis and the rest of the Eckersley family issued a public statement declaring their utter surprise at the news of her pregnancy. They acknowledged Alexandra’s lifelong struggle with severe mental illness and verified their unwavering attempts to stand by her side through her troubles.