PLAISTOW - The Plaistow man accused of beating and burning his girlfriend's 3-year-old son and later running off to Universal Studios in Florida to avoid capture has been indicted on first- and second-degree assault charges.

Roland Dow, 27, was indicted by a Rockingham County grand jury this week on the felony assault charges stemming from the alleged abuse discovered on Nov. 14 when he and Jessica Linscott, 23, brought her son, James Nicholson, to Exeter Hospital.

Prosecutors accused Dow of striking James in the head, causing a traumatic brain injury that led to seizures and other problems. He was also accused of burning the boy's wrist and fingers.

Assistant Rockingham County Attorney Michael Zaino said Friday he could only confirm that Dow was indicted on the first- and second-degree assault charges, but could not provide more details on the indictments until they are made public next week.

A probable cause hearing for Dow whad been scheduled for Monday in the 10th Circuit Court in Plaistow, but it has now been called off following the indictment.

Dow also faces five misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly failing to seek medical care for James on several occasions.

Jessica Linscott is charged with six misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child based on similar accusations. She is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 20 for a pretrial hearing.

Dow and Linscott remain held at the Rockingham County jail after they were arrested at the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, Fla., last week following a nearly two-week manhunt that attracted national media attention.

James, who was hospitalized for several days with critical injuries, has now been released from the hospital and is living with his grandmother in Kingston while he remains in the custody of the state Division of Children, Youth and Families.

jschreiber@newstote.com