Dennis Eckersley, family release statement after daughter's newborn child found abandoned in the woods

Correction/clarification: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Dennis Eckersley's ex-wife with whom he adopted Alexandra. Dennis and Nancy Eckersley adopted Alexandra.

Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley and his family released a statement saying they are “utterly devastated” by the events that unfolded involving his daughter, Alexandra Eckersley, who faces criminal charges after police say she abandoned her newborn baby in the New Hampshire woods.

“We are utterly devastated by the events that unfolded on Christmas night when our daughter Allie delivered a baby while living in a tent,” the statement said, according to WMUR and other media outlets. “It is heartbreaking that a child was born under such unthinkable conditions and in such tragic circumstances. We learned with everyone else from news reports what happened and are still in complete shock. We had no prior knowledge of Allie’s pregnancy.

“We are extremely grateful to the first responders in Manchester, NH for saving this innocent newborn boy and to the hospital staff for everything they are doing to ensure his well-being.

“Allie is our beloved daughter who we adopted at birth. Though it is painful to share, we feel it necessary to offer greater context of Allie’s circumstances and background. Allie has suffered from severe mental illness her entire life. Allie was hospitalized numerous times for her illness and lived in several residential programs. We did our very best to get Allie all of the help and support humanly possible.”

Police respond to a 911 call

According to police, Alexandra Eckersley, 26, called 911 shortly after midnight Dec. 26 stating she had given birth in the woods in Manchester. She told police and emergency medical personnel she went into labor in the woods and didn’t remember where the child may be. Multiple officers, fire fighters and paramedics were on the scene, with the temperature 15 degrees as they searched the woods after first being led by Eckersley to nearby baseball fields.

While placed in an ambulance to warm up, Alexandra Eckersley later told a paramedic the baby should still be inside her tent, according to the police report. Police found the baby inside a tent at a campsite made of tarps.

The baby, a boy who weighed 4.41 pounds, consistent with a baby born about six months into pregnancy, was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officers on site reported that it appeared Alexandra Eckersley was under the influence of some form of narcotics. She told police she had used cocaine within the previous two days. Eckersley told police she had no idea that she was pregnant.

During a subsequent interview, Eckersley told police she believed she was constipated or hemorrhaging when she went into pain in the afternoon of Dec. 25.

Eckersley pleads not guilty to charges, family files guardianship petition

Alexandra Eckersley, who is the adopted daughter of Dennis Eckersley and his ex-wife Nancy, pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree assault, falsifying physical evidence, reckless conduct and endangering the welfare of a child, according to WMUR.

The Eckersley family said they supported Alexandra the “best we could” but there was no way to force her to receive treatment.

“We have always offered Allie a path home but she has made other choices,” the family’s statement said. “We hope Allie now accepts the treatment she desperately needs for her mental health issues. We also hope that all those who have heard this tragic story withhold judgment about our daughter until all the facts come out.

“We are in the process of filing a guardianship petition so that we may receive information and have decision making with respect to Allie’s son.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dennis Eckersley, family respond after daughter's baby found in woods