Wayne Man Charged In Connection With Assault On A Baby

State Police arrested a Wayne man early Monday morning after his three month old son was hospitalized overnight after the child was thrown down a flight of stairs.

According to Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland,  William Lord Jr., 39, of 57 Innes Ridge Road, was arrested by the State Police Tactical Team and charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child.   He was taken to the Kennebec County Jail.

Police said Lord’s three month old son, Preston, suffered a skull fracture after the boy was thrown down stairs in an child safety seat. The baby was not secured in the seat and struck his head.   The boy’s mother – Ericka Melanson – took the baby to MaineGeneral in Augusta, where he is being treated. The injury is not believed to be life threatening.

McCausland said Lord, who was intoxicated, apparently went to bed after Melanson and her son left the house.  He was awakened this morning by a PA system from the tactical team after an arrest warrant had been issued. Lord came outside the house and was taken into custody.  Another child lives at the house and was not injured.   Lord’s arrest came after the older child left for school on a school bus, just after 7 a.m., said McCausland.

Lord was scheduled to make his first court appearance this afternoon.