Milford man allegedly threatened to blow up house with kids inside

A Milford man allegedly threatened to blow up a house where there were three kids inside on Monday.

William Abernathy, 46, has been charged with domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence terrorizing with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence assault, domestic violence terrorizing, criminal restraint and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.

More charges are likely.

A man told Old Town police about 12:50 a.m. Monday that Abernathy had assaulted his girlfriend and then threatened to blow up their house, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday morning.

When approached by police, the girlfriend confirmed those details.

Police then went to the Call Road home in Milford, where they encountered Abernathy outside carrying a knife in a sheath. He told police that he had other weapons on him, and he complied with police initially and dropped a bag and his weapons, according to the sheriff’s office.

Police knew there were children inside the home, and when they went inside, they “confirmed the presence of gas” and could hear someone upstairs asking for help.

Upstairs police found a bedroom door locked from the outside, preventing those inside from getting out. After two attempts, officers broke down the door and freed three children inside, according to the sheriff’s office.

Police found another person, whose identity wasn’t released, inside who needed help getting out.

Officers determined there were “possibly multiple explosive devices” at the home, which were disposed of through a controlled detonation.

The investigation is ongoing.

No additional information was immediately available.

Old Town police and Penobscot County sheriff’s deputies were assisted by Milford and Old Town fire departments, the Orono Fire Department’s hazardous material team, the state fire marshal’s office and Maine State Police’s bomb squad.