ELLSWORTH (AP) – A teenager who suffered burns over 35 percent of his body when his Halloween costume was set on fire returned home Friday after spending three weeks in a Boston hospital.

Donald Awalt, 14, was airlifted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital on Oct. 30 after his costume burst into flames in front of hundreds of students at a “Spook Day” assembly at Ellsworth High School.

Earl “Buzzy” Awalt, his grandfather, said Thursday that doctors had given Donald Awalt the green light to return home. Earl Awalt and his wife, Lorraine, are the boy’s legal guardians.

Most of Donald Awalt’s injuries were on the backs of his legs and his buttocks, hampering his mobility, according to Earl Awalt.

Though Donald is getting better, his therapy is difficult. “He hurts and it is painful, but that’s part of his therapy,” he said.

The hospital will help arrange Donald’s home care and will make sure he has the materials and equipment he needs to help him get better, Awalt said. “A nurse will be in every day, and a physical therapist will be in every day,” he said.

Donald was flown by private plane from the Boston area to Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, where he was met by friends, family and signs welcoming him home.

“I’m glad to be home,” he said.

Donald had worked on his costume, that of a camouflaged military sniper, for six months. It reportedly was covered with fine mesh netting and leaves held in place with hair spray.

Witnesses said the costume erupted in a ball of flames during the school assembly the day before Halloween.

Lucas White, 15, of Otis, has been charged with arson, elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault in juvenile court. He has not returned to Ellsworth High and is being home-schooled.

Police said that moments before White allegedly flicked the lighter, students overheard him say, “I wonder if this will burn.”

Awalt told the Bangor Daily News that White tried twice to set the costume on fire and succeeded on his third try.

AP-ES-11-21-03 1740EST