News

Fugitive couple returned to NH to face charges in child abuse case

PLAISTOW, NH (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) The couple accused of beating and burning a 3-year-old boy returned to New Hampshire Saturday days after their arrest in Florida.

FOX 25 was there as 23-year-old Jessica Linscott and 27-year-old Roland Dow returned to Logan Airport. The couple returned to New England on separate flights.

Linscott and Dow waived extradition on Friday morning and were voluntarily returned to New Hampshire.

The couple was taken into custody by federal marshals Wednesday evening at Universal Studios after being on the run for two weeks. The couple is believed to have made stops in New York and New Jersey on their way south, U.S. Deputy Marshal Jeffrey White said.

Dow is charged with first- and second-degree assault. He and Linscott face multiple charges of child endangerment for failing to protect and get medical attention for James, who remains hospitalized at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth in Lebanon.

Plaistow police say Dow stuck James in the head with enough force to cause traumatic brain injury and seizures and burnt the boy's wrist and fingers.

Tips from acquaintances and others helped authorities track the couple to a Florida hotel and Universal Studios.

Police said Dow and Linscott told them by phone several weeks ago that the boy's injuries were self-inflicted and that they would go to the police station later. They never showed up.

Police say the boy was improving but that his recovery will be long and difficult. A spokeswoman for the state Division of Children, Youth and Families, which has legal custody of the boy, would not comment on his condition, citing confidentiality laws.

New Hampshire officials say they expect the couple to be arraigned Monday in Plaistow District Court.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.