PLAISTOW - A Plaistow couple wanted in connection with a violent assault on a 3-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday night at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.

Authorities caught up with Jessica M. Linscott, 23, and Roland H. Dow III, 27, after receiving tips that the pair was in the Orlando area, Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams said.

The two were arrested on fugitive charges inside the park and are now in the custody of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. They will be arraigned Thursday morning where they will decide whether to voluntarily return to New Hampshire.

“We really appreciate all the public's help and the law enforcement help. We had law enforcement from all over New England and the Eastern Seaboard involved in the search,” Reams said.

Numerous possible sightings of the couple were reported in Massachusetts over the past several days, but authorities were unable to locate them here. Investigators said they believed the pair was getting help from others in their effort to hide.

Arrest warrants were issued Nov. 15 after Plaistow police launched an investigation into injuries suffered by Linscott's son, James Nicholson.

Linscott and Dow brought the child to Exeter Hospital on the night of Nov. 14 for treatment, but hospital employees suspected his injuries resulted from abuse and quickly notified authorities.

James suffered a traumatic brain injury and was found with bruises – both new and old – over much of his body and burns on his wrist and fingers, police said.

Dow faces first- and second-degree assault charges for allegedly striking James in the head and burning him.

He and Linscott also face multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly failing to seek medical attention for James when he suffered seizures and other symptoms related to the head injury.

James, who is now in the custody of the state's Division of Children Youth and Families, has been hospitalized at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth, but his family says his condition is improving following surgery.

jschreiber@newstote.com