A jury delivered a split verdict on Friday in a case involving a mother charged with abandoning her newborn child in the woods in subfreezing temperatures. The 27-year-old defendant was found guilty of reckless conduct, endangering the welfare of a child, and falsifying physical evidence. However, she was acquitted of two felony assault charges.
The defendant, who is the daughter of a Hall of Fame pitcher, visibly reacted to the not guilty verdicts in a Manchester, New Hampshire, courtroom. She testified during the trial that she was unaware of her pregnancy and believed the child had died after giving birth in a tent on Christmas night 2022.
Prosecutors revealed that the newborn was left alone for over an hour in harsh conditions, suffering from respiratory distress and hypothermia as temperatures dropped to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The defendant, who was homeless at the time, claimed that she thought the baby had no pulse and sought help by walking towards an ice arena.
The defendant faces a maximum prison sentence of seven years for falsifying physical evidence, while the other charges are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in prison in New Hampshire. She was living with her son and mother in Massachusetts at the time of her arrest, and her family stated they were unaware of her pregnancy and emphasized her struggles with mental illness.
During the trial, it was revealed that the defendant led first responders to a different location initially, allegedly out of fear of getting into trouble. However, she eventually directed authorities to the tent where the baby was found alive but in critical condition.
The defendant's legal team argued that she was dealing with substance use disorder and mental health issues, highlighting the lack of treatment she was receiving. Her co-accused, who pleaded guilty to child endangerment, was sentenced to a year in jail last August.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the involvement of the defendant's famous father, a former professional baseball player. The defendant's family expressed shock over the situation and emphasized their efforts to support her through her mental health challenges.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community awaits the sentencing of the defendant and reflects on the complexities of the case surrounding the abandonment of a newborn in extreme circumstances.
