Ellsworth burn victim to stay in Boston Wounds will keep boy in hospital for an undetermined amount of time

ELLSWORTH – A local boy who was badly burned when another Ellsworth High School student allegedly set his Halloween costume on fire will have to spend an undetermined amount of time at a Boston rehabilitation facility before he can return home, according to one of the boy’s relatives.

A week after he returned home from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Donald Awalt had to go back Nov. 28 because his injuries had started to get worse, Earl “Buzzy” Awalt, the boy’s grandfather and legal guardian, said Friday.

Donald Awalt, 14, was expected to be transferred Friday from Brigham and Women’s to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Earl Awalt said. The rehab center specializes in treating burn victims, he said.

“He’s gaining a little bit every day, but he’s not as good as when he came home,” the grandfather said. “He’s got some places on his left leg that are bothering him.”

Awalt said his grandson may require skin-graft surgery for his wounds to heal but, for now, the boy and his doctors are trying to avoid the operating room.

“It’s not ruled out,” Earl Awalt said.

It is unknown how long Donald may have to stay at the rehab facility before he can come back to Ellsworth, he said.

Donald Awalt was burned Oct. 30 when another boy allegedly used a cigarette lighter to set fire to Awalt’s military sniper costume during Ellsworth High School’s annual Spook Day festivities. Awalt, who was in the school gym with the entire school population, was consumed in a “ball of flame” while watching a costume contest, according to witnesses.

Awalt stood and jumped from the bleachers to the gym floor, where he rolled around as school staff and other students beat out the flames with parts of their costumes and a blanket. He was flown by LifeFlight helicopter from the school to Boston, where he spent the next three weeks at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Lucas White, 15, of Otis, has been charged with arson, elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault in connection with the incident.

White, who since has been expelled from the school and is in his parents’ custody, is expected to have a juvenile trial in Ellsworth District Court on the charges early next year.

Because Awalt was burned on his back and legs, he has had trouble getting around. His recovery has been complicated by his diabetes.

The teen’s walking ability has gotten better since he returned to Boston, but is still not as good as it was when he came home, Earl Awalt said.

He said burned skin tends to shrink.

“They have to be able to keep it stretched,” the grandfather said.

Earl Awalt said he plans to return to Boston on Sunday, where his wife, Lorraine Awalt, has been staying with Donald.

“You couldn’t get her out of there,” he said of his wife. “She stays right beside him.”

Donald Awalt was greeted by more than 60 people on Nov. 21 at Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton when he flew back from Massachusetts to Maine so he could spend Thanksgiving at home.

More information about Donald’s airplane flight back to Maine, which was provided by the charter airline and a Gray businessman, can be found on the Internet at maineburnsurvivors.org.