Theo Epstein Stalker Follows Him From Boston to Chicago

The shine of Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein was definitely starting to fade in the years following his last championship with the Boston Red Sox and his abrupt departure to take on the Cubs job.

But his star apparently never dimmed for a Massachusetts woman who allegedly followed him from Boston and appeared at his doorstep in Chicago.

Kathleen Kearney, 44, says she showed up in front of Epstein's Chicago home to invite him to go church. However, Theo Epstein quickly pointed out that Kearney was the same stalker who had followed him around in Boston, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Kearney was arrested about two blocks away from Epstein's home. She told officers that she was watching the home and was going to extend the church invitation. Police then took Kearney to Epstein's home, where he identified her as his stalker, reports the Tribune. Kearney has been charged with two counts of felony stalking.

It's interesting to note that Kearney was charged with felony stalking even though her intentions were seemingly innocuous enough -- a church invite. That's because with stalking, a court looks at how the victim will perceive the conduct, not how the stalker perceives it.

So while Kearney didn't overtly threaten to harm Epstein or his family, the fact is that she supposedly followed him halfway across the country and then showed up at his doorstep. This would probably invoke fear in most people.

In the earlier Massachusetts stalker incident, Theo Epstein had called local authorities about his concerns about Kathleen Kearney. Authorities investigated the woman but did not file charges.

Related Resources:

• Woman accused of stalking Cubs' Theo Epstein (Chicago Sun-Times)
• NY Mom Sent Death Threats to Little League Coach (FindLaw's Blotter)
• Are You a Stalker? (FindLaw's Blotter)
• Facebook Stalker George Bronk Sentenced (FindLaw's Blotter)