The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office says the mother of a five-year-old boy who was found dead in Abington has been charged with murder.
According to Attorney General John Formella, Danielle Dauphinais, 35, was indicted by a Hillsborough County Grand Jury on one count of First-Degree Murder, alleging she purposely caused the death of Elijah Lewis.
She also faces a charge of Second-Degree Murder for causing the death recklessly with extreme indifference to human life, and three counts of witness tampering.
On October 14th, Lewis was reported missing from his home in Merrimack, New Hampshire, which sparked a multi-state search. He was located nine days later in the woods off Chestnut Street in Abington.
Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz spoke during a press conference after Lewis was found. His office received credible information that led to 12-hour search of the area.
“I commend all the investigators, all the troopers, all the officers from New Hampshire, from Massachusetts, Rhode Island,” said Cruz. “The joint work together was really tremendous. They worked really hard to find this little boy.”
The Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be homicide — including facial and scalp injuries, fentanyl intoxication, and malnourishment.
Mass. State Police Colonel Chris Mason said a state trooper and a K-9 noticed ground that appeared to be disturbed about 250 yards from the street.
“We are very saddened about this situation, about Elijah’s death, the fact that he was disposed of down here in the woods,” said Susan Morrell, a Senior Assistant Attorney General for New Hampshire. “Our sympathies go out to his family, and friends of the family, and to the community who’s mourning his death.”
Dauphinais and her boyfriend – 30-year-old Joseph Stapf, are being held without bail on charges of Witness Tampering and Child Endangerment. They pleaded not guilty to the charges. An arraignment for Dauphinais will take place at a later date in New Hampshire.
An attorney representing Dauphinais did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.
Original story:
https://959watd.com/blog/2021/10/body-of-missing-n-h-five-year-old-elijah-lewis-believed-to-be-found-in-abington/
