Man man accused of assault in theft of meds from state children's home

CONCORD - A Tilton man was arrested today for allegedly stealing medicine intended for minors at a family services provider and replacing it with another substance that caused harm to two children.

Thomas John Ball Poirier, 39, was charged with first degree assault on a person under 13 years of age, second degree assault, abuse of facility patients, reckless conduct, obtaining a controlled drug by deceit, and drug possession.

Poirier was formerly employed at Spaulding Academy and Family Services in Northfield. The charges allege that, between Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, he stole Methylphenidate, commonly known under the brand name Ritalin, which had been prescribed to Spaulding's residents, some of whom were children under the age of 13.

The charges further allege that Poirier replaced the stolen medication with an unknown substance and that, in doing so, he caused serious bodily harm to two children residing at Spaulding.

First degree assault is a class A felony that, when committed against a person under 13 is subject to an extended term of imprisonment of 10 to 30 years in a New Hampshire State Prison. The remaining five charges are class B felonies that each carry a maximum penalty of 3 ½ to 7 years in prison.

Poirier will be arraigned in the Merrimack County Superior Court on a date to be determined.

Under New Hampshire law, the Attorney General is responsible for the prosecution of health care facility employees charged with willful abuse, mistreatment or neglect of a patient. Health care facility employees suspected of abusing their patients should be reported to the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit [(603) 271-1246], your local police department, or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services [(800) 949-0470].