Strangers Donating Toys And Gifts To Abused Plaistow, NH Boy
PLAISTOW, N.H. (CBS/AP) — People have been dropping off toys and gifts at a New Hampshire police department for a 3-year-old boy at the center of a child endangerment case.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
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James Nicholson of Plaistow was recently released from the hospital. He is recovering from brain injuries, bruises and burns to his wrist and fingers. Police said a fund for financial donations is being set up for him.
Like countless New Englanders, Annette Flanders was horrified that not only had Nicholson been beaten and burned, but that he had also been abandoned at a local hospital allegedly by his own mother and her boyfriend.
"It struck extra close to home because he's around the same age as our youngest daughter who passed away," said Flanders. "And I just think I would give anything to have her here and how could this happen to this little guy."
Annette says she knew she needed to do something, so she posted a message on Facebook and reached out to her mom-friends. Soon they had collected piles of toys which they dropped off at the Plaistow Police Department.
Other people have donated as well. Gifts have come in from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York.
Stuffed animals, toys, and cards have all been dropped off. So has a special pin from the Florida Marshalls who helped arrest the suspects on the run.
"We should be thinking about our own kids and our own families because he's really kind of the poster child," said Plaistow Police Chief Stephen Savage.
Flanders says she wanted little James to know there are people who care about him.
"I hope that he just feels the amount of love that's coming to him and the prayers that are out there for him," said Flanders.
The police department is still collecting gifts and is working on a financial fund as well.
Savage said police plan is to continue to collect gifts through next week. The city of Somerville, Mass., also is accepting donations through Saturday.
"I challenge anyone to help me fill this room," he said.
Family members of the child tell WBZ-TV Thursday they are very thankful and will donate to charity whichever toys James cannot use.
Nicholson is currently living with his grandmother in Kingston.
His mother, Jessica Linscott, is being held on $100,000 cash bail and her boyfriend Roland Dow was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail. Both face multiple charges of child endangerment. Dow also has been charged with first- and second-degree assault.
Both have been ordered not to have contact with each other or with James. The couple had said his injuries were self-inflicted; doctors disagreed.
WBZ-TV New Hampshire Bureau Chief Michael Rosenfield contributed to this story.
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