Merrimack Boy Killed Due To ‘Violence, Neglect, Fentanyl’: NH AG

MERRIMACK, NH — An autopsy of a missing Merrimack boy found dead in a Massachusetts park in October determined that his death was due to “violence and neglect,” as well as fentanyl intoxication and other issues.

The death of Elijah “Eli” Lewis, 5, of Merrimack has been determined to be a homicide, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Massachusetts.

Lewis was found in Ames Nowell State Park in Abington, Massachusetts, on Oct. 23 after it was revealed in mid-October by the Division for Children, Youth, and Families he had not been seen for months.

“The cause of Elijah’s death was determined to be violence and neglect, including facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment, and pressure ulcers,” a report released on Monday stated.

Pressure ulcers are more commonly known as bedsores or skin damage around bones due to friction. Homicide is defined in New Hampshire as a purposeful death of one person by another.

Both Lewis’ mother, Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, and her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, 30, have been held on witness tampering and child endangerment charges for weeks. No other charges have been filed in the case. Dauphinais and Stapf were arrested in New York City a few days after police were tipped off about Lewis being missing.

Lewis’ death remains an open and ongoing investigation, according to officials.

“The charges against Ms. Dauphinais and Mr. Stapf are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Susan Morrell, a senior assistant attorney general, said in a statement.

Criminal documents in the case against Dauphinais and Stapf were sealed at the request of prosecutors.

According to the Boston Globe, a friend of Dauphinais’ shared text messages calling her son the next Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer, saying she had no connection to the boy and wishing he was gone.

Lewis had been living with his mom for about 18 months after the boy’s father sent him to live with her in Merrimack, according to the report. Dauphinais has five other children. Her ex-husband had accused her of being violent and having a history of substance abuse and domestic violence.

Anyone with information about Elijah’s death is asked to contact the Merrimack Police Department’s Crimeline at 603-424-2424 or New Hampshire State Police Communications at 603-223-4381 or 603-MCU-TIPS (603-628-8477). Lead Investigator Detective Sgt. Kelly Healey, Major Crime Unit, can be contacted directly at Kelly.A.Healey@dos.nh.gov.

ALSO READ:

• MA Examiner: Cause Of Death Of Missing NH Boy Could Take Months
• Candlelight Vigil Planned In Merrimack For Elijah Lewis On Sunday
• Body Found In Search For Missing New Hampshire Boy
• AG On Merrimack Boy: 'As Of Today, We Believe Elijah Is Deceased'
• Mass, NH Officials Search Abington For Missing 5-Year-Old: Report
• Crews From Around New England Search For Missing Merrimack Boy
• Merrimack Couple Still In New York; NH Boy Still Missing
• Divers Search Merrimack Lake During Missing Child Investigation
• Authorities Search Merrimack Lake As Part Of Missing Child Case
• Merrimack Police Looking For Child Missing For 6 Months
• Merrimack Police, NH State Police Investigating Incident

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