AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ A Maine man charged with throwing his infant son down a flight of stairs was fired from Riverview Psychiatric Center after authorizing the use of pepper spray on a woman who was restrained for hours with the irritating substance on her skin.
The Kennebec Journal reported Wednesday that 39-year-old William Lord Jr. was the nurse who authorized use of pepper spray in December. The paper reports that he told investigators he didn't believe it constituted abuse.
The infant's mother told police that Lord was depressed and intoxicated before the 3-month-old, unsecured in an infant car seat, was tossed down a flight of stairs early Monday. The baby suffered a skull fracture.
Lord remained jailed Wednesday on charges including aggravated assault. It was unknown if he had a lawyer.
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