MLB Hall of Famer's daughter allegedly abandoned infant in woods on Christmas: police

Alexandra Eckersley, the adopted daughter of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley, was arrested on multiple charges alleging she gave birth in the woods on Christmas and then abandoned her newborn baby, police said. 

Eckersley, 26, was arraigned Tuesday on charges including falsifying evidence, reckless conduct, second-degree assault and endangering a child's welfare, a New Hampshire ABC affiliate reported. 

She pleaded not guilty Tuesday, and Judge Diane Nicolosi set her bail at $3,000 cash, according to the local outlet. The bail conditions require Eckersley to not contact her son and to reside at a sober living facility or with her parents or at another state-approved residence. 

New Hampshire's Manchester Police Department announced Eckersley's arrest on Monday after law enforcement responded to a report early that morning about a woman who had given birth in the woods while the temperature was 18 degrees.

First responders "searched the area where the mother of the baby directed them, however they were unable to locate the child," police said.

After an hour of searching, Eckersley led police and medical personnel to the infant's actual location, according to officials.

Police found the baby struggling to breathe on the floor of a tent near a river, Fox News' Boston affiliate reported. The infant was treated on the scene and then transported to a local hospital.

Manchester Deputy Fire Chief David Flurey identified Eckersley as the daughter of the baseball star and former Boston Red Sox broadcaster. 

When a detective asked Eckersley why she left her baby in the tent, she said, "What do they tell you when a plane goes down? Save yourself first," an affidavit shows.

A police officer said in the court document that Eckersley seemed to be under the influence of drugs.