Police reports
Nov 25, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Psychiatry.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Police in the Mount Desert Island town of Southwest Harbor assisted state agencies, November 18, arresting Danielle Jeanne Kelsen, 55, on a fugitive from justice warrant.
“As a result of the investigation into the circumstances of Janet Kelsen’s death, an arrest warrant was obtained charging her daughter-in-law, Danielle Kelsen (age 55) with second degree murder in violation of RSA 630:1-b, I(b), in that, she recklessly caused the death of Janet Kelsen under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by inflicting blunt head trauma,” New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella said, November 25. “Danielle Kelsen has also been charged with wiretapping and eavesdropping through intercepting oral communications in violation of RSA 570-A:2, in that, she willfully used an electronic device to intercept oral communications between herself and Janet Kelsen.”
Maine State Police assisted with the arrest.
Kelsen was arrested on Clark Point Road in Southwest Harbor. The New Hampshire warrant was for a charge of second degree homicide of Kelsen’s mother, Janet Rischeill Kelsen, 88, of Exeter, New Hampshire.
According to an earlier New Hampshire Department of Justice announcement, “Ms. Kelsen was found dead in her home on Front Street on February 9, 2025.”
New Hampshire Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mitchell Weinberg ruled that Ms. Kelsen’s cause of death was blunt head trauma. The state declared it was a homicide.
The Portsmouth Herald and Seacoast Online New Hampshire newspapers said residents in the town of approximately 16,000 were “rattled” by her death.
At the time of Janet Rischeill Kelsen’s death, WMUR (a New Hampshire television station) reported that in an interview with the New Hampshire attorney general they were told “that when police arrived, they found the woman with significant facial injuries and she was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The news channel also reported that a relative of Janet Rischeill Kelsen had “called police for a medical emergency.”
According to Mount Desert Islander’s Kip Wing, the Maine State Police contacted Southwest Harbor Police about the warrant on November 17.
“Hall briefed officer Kristen Roulet on the warrant and Roulet was instructed to watch the house on Clark Point Road the next morning, Nov. 18, and report back with additional information,” Wing wrote.
Roulet watched the house to see if Kelsen left or if an orange Subaru arrived. Neither occurred prior to the state police staff’s arrival. Kelsen did not immediately leave the home when asked to, but entered state police custody without incident.
Formella stressed, “The charges and allegations against Danielle Kelsen are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
“Following a preliminary hearing on being a fugitive from justice, the defendant is scheduled for a further hearing on the issue of extradition to New Hampshire before the Ellsworth District Court in Ellsworth, Maine on December 10, 2025. Following extradition to New Hampshire, the defendant is expected to be arraigned at the 10th Circuit Court – Brentwood District Division, at a date and time to be determined by the Court,” Formella said.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/TvGjHR2DC0M?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOGS
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department police logs, which is publicly released information.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Officer Liam Harrington fingerprinted someone at the Bar Harbor Police Department for travel purposes.
The United States Department of Agriculture called the Mount Desert Police Department to advise that they would be working on a project in Mount Desert.
Officer Ted Cake received a report of some suspicious activity in Northeast Harbor but after investigating, determined that no violation of law had occurred.
After receiving a complaint of a vehicle passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Doug Brundrett investigated and determined that a violation of law had not occurred.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy took a report of a family member who had not returned home from a parent in Bar Harbor and approximately an hour later, the parent called back and said that everything was all set.
Officer T. Cake gave a woman a trespass warning for a property in Mount Desert.
Officer Harrington assisted a Bar Harbor resident who was locked out of their residence.
Officer Judson Cake spoke with someone in Mount Desert about a mental health issue.
Officer Lukas Keene responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, located the vehicle’s operator, and determined that no violations had occurred.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
After a report of suspicious activity at a Mount Desert residence, Officer Keene found that nothing concerning was taking place when he arrived.
Someone reported that their truck was vandalized in Mount Desert to Officer J. Cake. The reporting party did not want to pursue charges but wanted the incident documented.
Officer Troy Stanwood received a late report of distracted driving on a private road in Bar Harbor.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a request for extra patrol in the area of an Eagle Lake Road business.
Someone requested a well-being check on a Bar Harbor resident. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Amie Torrey spoke with a woman in Mount Desert about issues in the woman’s life.
After officers responded to a report of a disturbance in Otter Creek, a woman was taken into protective custody and transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Caleb Mora arrested James Neel, 48, of Bar Harbor, for operating after suspension. Neel was also summoned for attaching false plates, displaying false registration validation, violation of conditions of release, and duty to inform law enforcement due to a loaded firearm being in the vehicle. Neel was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Stanwood served someone in Bar Harbor with a protection order.
Officer Stanwood removed some debris from the roadway on Route 102 in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood served someone in Bar Harbor with a subpoena.
Officer Stanwood checked on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be fine.
Sgt. Hardy responded to a motor vehicle crash that occurred on Stanley Brook Road in Mount Desert and notified the park service as it was in the boundaries of Acadia National Park.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Officer Torrey handled a parking complaint on Jordan Pond Road in Seal Harbor.
Officer Kevin Edgecomb took a report of a suspicious person near a Northeast Harbor residence in the early morning hours.
Officer Mora responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Mount Desert but could not locate the vehicle nor could he follow up due to a lack of descriptive information.
Officer Mora handled a road rage incident complaint in Bar Harbor and warned both drivers for driving to endanger.
A woman reported some strange lights over her residence in Mount Desert but they were gone by the time Officer Torrey arrived.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Officer Nathan Formby located a parked vehicle in downtown Bar Harbor that was obstructing traffic. Officer Formby was able to contact the driver and have them move the vehicle from the travel lane.
Sgt. Chris Dickens requested a directed patrol at the head of the island to monitor traffic conditions and driver behavior during high traffic times.
Saturday, November 22, 2025
A Mount Desert resident called regarding a neighbor that was yelling at them about banging on the wall that they share between their apartments. The caller only asked Officer Zack Kline to document the incident.
After receiving multiple calls about a person running on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor wearing dark clothing, Officer Kaleb Payson located the person, who was jogging, and asked them to run on the correct side of the road.
Sunday, November 23, 2025
No reported incidents.
Monday, November 24, 2025
Someone asked Officer Mora to document a trespassing complaint in Bar Harbor.
Officer Mora assisted another Bar Harbor entity with getting paperwork signed outside of the Bar Harbor area.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood arrested Justin Staples, 33, of Bucksport, for operating under the influence. Staples was also summoned for operating without a license. Staples was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor or Tremont last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, November 17, 2025
Officer Kristen Roulet fingerprinted someone at the Southwest Harbor Police Department for a job application.
After receiving a 911 call regarding gunshots in Tremont, Officer Bradley Russell responded but failed to find anything out of the ordinary.
Officer Roulet returned a dog that was found in Southwest Harbor to its owner.
Officer Russell was on his way to a residential alarm in Tremont when he was notified that it was a false alarm.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Officer Rick Graham received an anonymous report regarding a teenage child in Southwest Harbor, investigated the compliant, and determined that it was unfounded.
Officer Roulet assisted the Maine State Police with an arrest warrant in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Graham stood by during an ambulance service response to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Graham served court paperwork to a Southwest Harbor resident.
After receiving a report of a dog running loose in Tremont from the Mount Desert Police Department, Officer Graham responded but was unable to locate the dog.
Officer Graham performed a well-being check on someone in Southwest Harbor and found them to be in “good health and good spirits.”
A Tremont resident brought a dog that they had found running loose in Tremont to the Southwest Harbor Police Department where the dog’s owner picked it up later.
Officer Graham delivered a bucket of sand to a Southwest Harbor resident who requested it through the “sand for seniors” program.
While conducting security checks in Tremont, Officer Graham discovered an unsecured door at a Tremont facility. Officer Graham checked the building, secured the door, and notified the building’s maintenance supervisor.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Sgt. Ryan Blakeney went to a Southwest Harbor residence to answer some questions that the property owner had regarding a vehicle that was parked on their property.
An officer performed a school visit and patrol check at the Tremont Consolidated School in Tremont.
An officer performed a school visit and patrol check at the Pemetic School in Southwest Harbor.
Sgt. Blakeney took a report from a Tremont resident regarding their neighbor’s livestock that was trespassing onto the complainant’s property.
Sgt. Blakeney received a civil issue complaint from a Southwest Harbor resident.
An officer assisted someone in Southwest Harbor with getting a ride to Ellsworth in order to secure a place to stay.
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a report of an injured deer on Main Street in Southwest Harbor and when he arrived, the deer ran off into the woods.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Sgt. Blakeney performed a requested well-being check on someone walking on a Southwest Harbor roadway but was unable to locate the person.
Officer James Kamorski responded to an alarm in Tremont and determined that it was a false alarm.
Officer Kamorski assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with getting back into their apartment after they had locked themselves out.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of suspicious activity in Tremont but could not locate anything out of the ordinary upon arrival.
Friday, November 21, 2025
After receiving a complaint regarding suspicious activity involving hunting in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell responded but failed to locate anything suspicious.
Officer Russell responded to a Tremont dock for a reported loose dog, captured the dog, and returned it home.
After receiving a report of suspicious activity at a Southwest Harbor resident’s neighbor’s residence, Officer Russell spoke with the homeowners and resolved the issue.
Connor McKee, 21, of Tremont, was riding a bicycle in the area of 78 Seal Cove Road in Southwest Harbor, when the mirror of a passing vehicle struck him from behind on his left shoulder. The vehicle was not identified and McKee suffered a minor injury to his left shoulder.
Officer Russell responded to a report of an injured animal in a Southwest Harbor roadway, moved the animal from the roadway, and spoke with the people involved.
After receiving a report of a driver acting oddly in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell responded but failed to locate the described vehicle.
Saturday, November 22, 2025
After receiving a report of a vehicle driving around in Southwest Harbor with no registration plate, Officer Russell responded but failed to locate the described vehicle.
Officer Graham assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with getting back into their apartment after they had locked themselves out.
Officer Graham delivered a bucket of sand to a Southwest Harbor resident who requested it through the “sand for seniors” program.
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Officer Kamorski responded to Tremont for a reported loose dog, captured the dog, and returned it home.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of an injured deer in Southwest Harbor and determined that the deer was healthy enough that it did not need to be euthanized.
Officer Kamorski received information from someone in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving an abandoned 911 call in Southwest Harbor, Officer Kamorski checked the area of the call and located the caller who said that it had been done accidentally.
CAR/DEER CRASHES
Due to time constraints, we do not write about car/deer crashes or minor vehicle crashes such as parking lot or parked vehicle/moving vehicle collisions. We do realize that many readers are interested in car/deer collisions, so we will be listing them by town and roadway here.
BAR HARBOR — (4) – Route 3 (x2) – Route 102 (x1) – unstated location (x1)
MOUNT DESERT — None reported.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — None reported.
TREMONT — None reported.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include these each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur on Mount Desert Island.
Two Adults Killed, Children Injured in Early Morning Crash on Maine Turnpike in New Gloucester
NEW GLOUCESTER—On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at approximately 4:26 a.m., Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-95 southbound near mile marker 71 in New Gloucester. Upon arrival, troopers located a serious crash involving a 2017 GMC Acadia towing a U-Haul trailer and a 2015 Audi SUV. The preliminary investigation indicates that the GMC, which was traveling southbound, became detached from the trailer ball remaining connected only by safety chains. The driver of the GMC pulled to the right shoulder and stopped, with the trailer still partially in the roadway.
Six people were in the GMC, including four children ranging in age from 7 to 14, all from Lewiston. Four occupants, an adult male driver, an adult female passenger, and two of the four children exited the vehicle and were attempting to address issues with the trailer when a southbound 2015 Audi SUV struck the trailer and the GMC from behind.
The adult female was pronounced deceased at the scene. The adult male driver suffered critical injuries and was transported to Maine Medical Center, where he later died. The two children who were outside the vehicle sustained minor injuries. The two children who remained inside the GMC also suffered minor injuries. All four children were transported to Maine Medical Center. Relationship information and family details are still being confirmed. Identities will not be released until verification is complete and next-of-kin notifications have been made.
The driver of the Audi, an adult male from Wales sustained minor injuries. He was transported to Maine Medical Center where he was treated and released. No charges are being filed against the driver at this time.
The dynamics and circumstances of the crash remain under active investigation.
Maine State Police would like to thank Gray Fire and Rescue, Auburn Fire and Rescue, Auburn Police Department, and the Maine Turnpike Authority for their assistance at the scene.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Falmouth House Fire
FALMOUTH—The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a residential fire that occurred Monday, November 17, 2025, at a home on Red Oak Drive in Falmouth. The Fire Marshal’s Office was requested by the Falmouth Fire Department to respond to the scene. Crews arrived around 4:11 p.m., to find the home fully involved. No occupants were inside at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Fire Marshal investigators spoke with the individuals that had been staying at the residence. They advised that an accidental fire had occurred earlier in the day while an electric space heater was in use, and that the fire ignited a couch. The occupants reported they believed they had extinguished the fire, but it appears to have rekindled after they left.
Due to the extent of the damage the fire is being classified as undetermined. The investigation remains ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
Two Found Deceased in Wade Residence; Carbon Monoxide Suspected
WADE—The Office of State Fire Marshal and the Maine State Police are investigating the deaths of two individuals found inside a residence at 505 N. Wade Road in Wade on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Troopers and emergency medical services personnel responded to the home at approximately 11:15 a.m., for a welfare check and confirmed that both occupants were deceased upon arrival.
Fire Marshal’s Office investigators were requested to respond. They determined that the furnace exhaust pipe inside the residence had been improperly installed and had become disconnected, causing exhaust fumes to vent directly into the home. Evidence suggests the victims likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The victims have been identified as 64-year-old Brian Merchant and 56-year-old Laurie Ridgway who lived together at the residence. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta will conduct examinations to determine the official cause of death.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds Maine residents to ensure that working carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms are properly installed in their homes and that heating systems are regularly inspected. No further information is being released at this time.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The following are the public releases from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Each image can be clicked on and expanded.
HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY
You can help us keep bringing you daily and local news.
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyThank you so much for being here with us.
We keep our news free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories take time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going.
If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship.
Even $5 a month makes a difference. Or click here to become a one-time supporter now.
Founding member information can be found here.
Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you.
We made a correction to a sentence that had the wrong subject. Many thanks to Amanda Link for alerting us to it! That correction was made at 12:15 p.m., November 25.
Discover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.