by KYW's Mike DeNardo

Investigators believe that a Main Line dentist may be responsible for dumping the medical waste that closed beaches in Avalon, NJ right before Labor Day.

Investigators from the New Jersey attorney general's office spent the morning on Thursday searching the Wynnewood, Pa. home and office of dentist Thomas McFarland. Any evidence found there during the search could lead to criminal charges against him.
 
McFarland's beach house in Avalon Manor, his Dodge Durango, and his boat were also searched.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, McFarland went to police in Avalon on Tuesday and admitted to dumping dental needles and cotton swabs into Townsend's Inlet near Sea Isle City and Avalon, from his Boston Whaler boat.

On August 23rd, Avalon beaches were forced to close when medical waste washed ashore (see related stories).

Sources say McFarland is being treated at a mental health facility. So far, no charges have been filed against him, and there's been no comment from the New Jersey attorney general's office.

(Top photo by KYW's Mike DeNardo)