Crime & Safety

TIMELINE: The Hunt for Fugitive Couple

Roland Dow allegedly beat and burned Jessica Linscott's 3-year-old son.

A Plaistow woman and her boyfriend charged with child abuse are on the run after the woman's 3-year-old son was found with horrific injuries at Exeter Hospital.

A police report issued Sunday said Jessica Linscott, 23, and Roland Dow, 27, may be traveling in a blue 2009 Dodge caravan with a New Hampshire license plate numbered 2844129. They may be traveling from the North Shore part of Massachusetts to New Hampshire or Maine, where they have friends.

Linscott's son, James, was seriously injured after Dow allegedly beat him in the head and burned his wrists and fingers. The boy remains hospitalized.

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A timeline and story archive of the case can be found below.

TIMELINE

Wed., Nov. 14 — Linscott and Dow drop off James at Exeter Hospital, where doctors discover he has a traumatic brain injury and burned arms. His injuries were so severe that he was temporarily blinded and had seizures.

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Fri., Nov. 16 — Plaistow police issue arrest warrants for Linscott and Dow, charging them with child endangerment.

Sat., Nov. 17 — Linscott and Dow tell police they will turn themselves. It never happens.

Tue., Nov. 20 — Police receive a tip that the couple may be in Swampscott, Mass.

Wed., Nov. 21 — The charges against Dow are upgraded to first-degree assault, a crime that carries up to 30 years in prison. Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams says, "No matter where you go we're going to find you. Surrender yourselves."

Thur., Nov. 22 — Police receive a tip that the couple was at a Honey Dew Donuts in Lynn, Mass. in a red Volvo with green bumper stickers and a luggage rack.

Sat., Nov. 24 — Acting on a tip, police descend on a neighborhood in Beverly, Mass. where they believe the couple is staying. They find a man named Roland, who runs from police. He's captured, but police discover he's Roland Lemieux—not the Roland Dow they are looking for. Lemieux had a prior warrant out for his arrest.

Sun., Nov. 26 — Police issue an alert saying Dow and Linscott may be in a blue 2009 Dodge caravan with a New Hampshire license plate numbered 2844129. They may be traveling from the North Shore part of Massachusetts to New Hampshire or Maine, where they have friends.

Mon., Nov. 27 — Reams, the county attorney, said police are receiving more and more tips on the couple. 

STORY ARCHIVE

  • Beverly Police Say Tip on Wanted New Hampshire Couple Was False
  • Police Say Case of Mistaken Identity Led to Beverly Manhunt for Fugitives
  • Fugitive Couple Reportedly Stayed at Dunham Road Home
  • N.H. Couple on Lam Possibly Seen Around North Shore
  • Alleged Baby-Burning Couple Continue to Evade Police
  • Mistaken Identity Leads to Arrest in Fugitive Couple Case
  • County Attorney: 'Surrender Yourselves'
  • Police Hunting for Couple Who Allegedly Burned Son

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