MANCHESTER, N.H. — In a recent ruling, a mother found guilty of abandoning her infant son in freezing temperatures received a suspended sentence, contingent upon her ongoing engagement with mental health professionals.
Alexandra Eckersley, 27, whose father is the Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley, was handed two suspended sentences totaling 18 months across different charges. This decision allows her to return home as long as she continues to seek mental health support.
While prosecutors sought a minimum of one year in jail followed by probation, Eckersley’s defense team requested a six-month suspended sentence, arguing that her compliance with mental health treatment was paramount.
Judge Amy Messer expressed concern that incarcerating Eckersley could negatively impact her progress and stability since her arrest. Eckersley chose not to speak during the hearing.
“Ms. Eckersley, it’s crucial that you remain committed to your current path, whether driven by your desire to support your son or to avoid jail time,” said Messer. “If you stay on track, I believe you will be successful.”
Eckersley’s sentences are set to commence immediately, with a three-year timeline for completion if she adheres to mental health services. She is scheduled to return to court on November 14.
The charges against Eckersley, which include falsifying physical evidence, endangering a child’s welfare, and reckless conduct, typically warrant a four to eight-year prison term. Notably, she was acquitted of two assault charges during the trial.
Alexander Gatzoulis, an assistant county attorney, acknowledged that Eckersley had accepted responsibility during the trial and has shown effort toward rehabilitation. However, he highlighted the grave nature of her actions.
“It’s concerning that Ms. Eckersley misled first responders multiple times for nearly an hour regarding the whereabouts of her newborn,” he stated.
Eckersley’s legal team explained that she has faced mental health challenges throughout her life and was unaware of her pregnancy, attributing her actions to a medical crisis. They reported that she has maintained sobriety since her arrest, regularly attends therapy, and has been living with her infant son and mother in Massachusetts since earlier this year.
Nancy Eckersley, Alexandra’s mother, pleaded for leniency from the court, sharing that her daughter has discovered a sense of joy and purpose through her son, Teddy.
“For the first time, Ally is thriving, and so is Teddy. Having them with me has brought immense joy,” Nancy Eckersley remarked.
The timeline of events reveals that Alexandra left home at 20 to connect with an online acquaintance and subsequently did not receive adequate mental health care for years. She gave birth on Christmas night 2022 in a tent in Manchester, New Hampshire, amid harsh conditions.
During her trial, Eckersley testified that she initially thought her baby had died after childbirth. Despite surviving, her son was alone for over an hour, enduring respiratory distress and hypothermia as temperatures plummeted to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prosecutors asserted that she misled responders about her child’s location to evade trouble, although she later reported hearing the baby’s cries. Her defense claimed she attempted to summon help by calling 911 and ultimately directed police to the baby’s location, despite initial disbelief from the authorities.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that a male companion with Eckersley in the tent had assumed the baby was unresponsive. Lacking cell service, they attempted to reach an ice arena for help. During their journey, Eckersley experienced post-pregnancy complications, mistaking them for giving birth to another child.
The man with her faced his own legal consequences last August, receiving a one-year jail sentence after admitting to charges of child endangerment.
Following Eckersley’s arrest, her family publicly stated their shock and lack of knowledge about her pregnancy, asserting that they had attempted to support her through her long-standing struggles with mental illness.
Dennis Eckersley, who attended part of the trial, had a celebrated baseball career spanning 24 seasons with various teams, earning the AL Cy Young and MVP awards in 1992. He transitioned to broadcasting after retiring from professional play in 2022.