NH couple charged in abuse of 3-year-old to be arraigned Monday

By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff

The New Hampshire couple arrested on Wednesday night in Florida after two weeks on the lam will be arraigned Monday morning on charges stemming from the alleged abuse of a 3-year-old child, the Rockingham County, N.H. district attorney said today.

In a brief phone interview, District Attorney James M. Reams said Roland Dow, 27, and Jessica Linscott, 23, are scheduled to be arraigned in Plaistow District Court in connection to the suspected abuse of Linscott’s 3-year-old son, James Nicholson.

Reams said Dow and Linscott will probably appear via video conference. They are currently being held at the Rockingham County Jail.

Dow is charged with first-degree and second-degree assault. He is accused of beating Nicholson so severely that the child suffered traumatic brain injury. The boy also had burns on his hands and fingers.

In addition, both Dow and Linscott are facing several counts of child endangerment for failing to seek medical attention for the boy. Reams has previously said that the child likely suffered the abuse over a period of 30 days.

Asked today if the couple could face additional charges in connection with their time as fugitives, Reams said, “It’s too early to say. I have to finish the evidence review.”

Dow and Linscott were apprehended on Wednesday night at Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, Fla., after a nationwide manhunt. Authorities said Thursday that they believe the couple also made stops in New York and Atlantic City during their time as fugitives.