Burned Ellsworth boy still in good condition

ELLSWORTH – A local boy badly burned last week when a fellow high school student set his Halloween costume on fire remained in good condition Tuesday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Donald Awalt, 14, was flown by helicopter Oct. 30 to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after he was consumed in a “ball of flame” at a schoolwide assembly in the gymnasium at Ellsworth High School.

Police have said another student held a lit cigarette lighter to Awalt’s military sniper costume, which included leaves and dried hairspray.

Awalt jumped from bleachers and rolled around on the gym floor as other students beat out the flames with part of their Halloween costumes, according to student witnesses.

Students and staff were taking part in annual Spook Day festivities at the school when the incident occurred.

The boy accused of setting Awalt on fire was arrested and detained at the juvenile detention facility in Charleston over the weekend. He was released Monday to the custody of his parents by order of Ellsworth District Court Judge Bernard Staples.

The accused boy is facing charges of arson, elevated aggravated assault and reckless conduct, according to his defense attorney.

The defendant is expected to appear in Ellsworth District Court again Friday morning to answer to the charges. He has not been publicly identified by officials because he is a juvenile.

Awalt was listed in critical condition Oct. 30 when he was admitted to the Boston hospital’s intensive care unit. His condition was upgraded to serious the next day and then to good over the weekend.

Members of the accused boy’s family declined to comment on the matter on Monday.

Awalt’s close relatives, all of whom are believed to be in Boston, also have declined requests for media interviews, according to hospital officials.