High bail set for NH couple in child endangerment case

Posted: 12/02/12 at 6:05 pm EST      Last Updated: 12/04/12 at 7:28 am EST

PLAISTOW, N.H. (WHDH) -- A fugitive couple arrested at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and arraigned in New Hampshire on charges in the beating and burning of the woman's 3-year-old son had high bail amounts set Monday.

Jessica Linscott, 23, was arraigned over a closed circuit hook up between the county jail and the court. A closer look revealed Linscott is nursing a black eye -- something law enforcement sources say she suffered before she was captured by U.S. Marshals in Florida last week.

“What the state has charged you with is six counts of endangering the welfare of a child,” the judge told Linscott.

Linscott and her live-in boyfriend, 27-year-old Roland Dow, both answered to charges in connection with a chilling case of child abuse that left Linscott’s 3-year-old son, James Nicholson, in the hospital.

Prosecutors described the toddler’s injuries in court.

“Injuries including bruising all over his body, upper forehead, cheek area on his face, right arm, buttocks area, leg area, over his back, his lower buttocks area,” said Michael Zaino, a prosecutor.

Investigators say the couple brought the toddler to the hospital along with a video suggesting his injuries were self-inflicted, but doctors said the injuries were inconsistent with what the video showed.

The pair then went on the run, hiding in Haverhill, Mass. From there, they went to Boston, where they took a bus to New York, and then a train to Florida.

Linscott and Dow were arrested last week by federal marshals at Universal Studios while watching a parade. They were jailed in New Hampshire on Saturday.

The toddler’s paternal grandmother, Helen Nicholson, told 7News she couldn't comment on the case.

7News knocked at Dow's mother’s house in Newton, New Hampshire. Instead of talking, she called the police. The suspects, meanwhile, had little to say in court when given the opportunity.

“No, I just want a lawyer,” Linscott said during the arraignment.

Linscott, 23, was ordered held on $100,000 bail. Dow was ordered held on $500,000 bail.

Both have been ordered not to have contact with each other or with the child.

Dow is charged with first- and second-degree assault. The toddler is in state custody.

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