Photo: Merrimack Police Department
CONCORD, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The mother of 5-year-old Elijah Lewis, the Merrimack, New Hampshire boy whose body was found in a makeshift grave in Abington, Masschusetts last October, has been indicted on murder charges.
New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella announced Monday that Danielle Dauphinais, 35, has been charged with one count of first degree murder for purposely causing the death of Elijah Lewis; one count of second degree murder for causing the death of Elijah Lewis recklessly with extreme indifference to the value of human life; and three counts of tampering with witnesses.
Elijah was first reported missing from his Merrimack home on Oct. 14, but had not been seen in six months.
Dauphinais and her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, 30, were arrested Oct. 17 in New York on charges of witness tampering and child endangerment. They remain held without bail.
On Oct. 23, a state police cadaver dog discovered Elijah's body buried in a makeshift grave in the woods of Abington.
Elijah's death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy revealed the boy died due to violence and neglect, including facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment and pressure ulcers.
An arraignment will be scheduled in Hillsborough County Superior Court in Nashua.
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