County woman critical after assault Fort Fairfield resident’s husband faces felony charges in brutal beating

FORT FAIRFIELD – A local woman remains in critical but stable condition at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after she was assaulted by her husband, according to an official with the Fort Fairfield Police Department.

The 53-year-old Fort Fairfield woman was taken by ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center last week after she suffered serious head injuries, fractured left hip, a broken left femur and bruises to 95 percent of her body, Sgt. James Chartier, of the Fort Fairfield department, and a family member who wished to remain anonymous, said in separate interviews Monday.

The victim’s injuries were so severe that she had to be flown by LifeFlight to EMMC, where she underwent surgery, Chartier said.

The family member said the woman had brain surgery.

Police arrested the woman’s husband, Larry Hafford, 53, of Fort Fairfield for aggravated assault, a Class B felony. Chartier made the arrest with Maine State Police Detective Dale Keegan. They were assisted by Chris Malborg and Sgt. Forrest Dudley of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.

Hafford was taken to Aroostook County Jail, where his bail was set at $50,000 surety or $10,000 cash. Chartier said Hafford was unable to make bail on Thursday, the day of his arrest. The next day, Chartier said, a judge raised Hafford’s bail to $100,000 surety.

Hafford since has made bail. He is expected to appear in Presque Isle District Court on June 1.

Chartier said the case is still under investigation. Police are not releasing any information about what happened before the victim was taken to TAMC, he said.

Hafford has a criminal history of assault. He was convicted of assault in 1988 and again in 1993. Two other assault charges against Hafford during that time were dismissed.