A 45-year-old New Hampshire man was sentenced to a minimum of one year in jail for placing a newborn’s life at risk.
George Theberge was arrested in January on charges of tampering with witnesses, endangering the welfare of a child, and reckless conduct after MLB Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley’s daughter gave birth outdoors amid freezing temperatures in December.
Theberge received his sentence on Monday, August 14, after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of endangering a child’s safety as part of an agreement with the prosecution. He also received an additional six-month extension to his incarceration for violating probation conditions following an arrest in January on a drug-related charge.
Authorities reported that the infant boy was left by the couple in a tent without heat or proper clothing for over an hour on December 26 when the temperature dropped to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The infant managed to survive.
A police affidavit identified Theberge as the boyfriend of the newborn’s mother, Alexandra Eckersley, 26. She was accused of leaving her child without adequate clothing or heating. Facing charges of assault, reckless conduct, and other allegations, she pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Her trial is scheduled for next year.
Eckersley’s legal representative stated that she was unaware of her pregnancy, gave birth, contacted emergency services, and assisted the police in locating the baby. Alleged medical complications were cited as a factor. Since then, Eckersley has completed rehabilitation programs, achieved sobriety, and maintains regular visitation with her child.
The Eckersley family released a statement revealing they were unaware of Alexandra’s pregnancy. They highlighted her lifelong struggle with severe mental illness and emphasized their efforts to provide her with assistance and support.
Dennis Eckersley, renowned for his baseball career, played pivotal roles on multiple teams over 24 seasons.