NASHUA, N.H. – Danielle Dauphinais, the mother of 5-year-old Elijah Lewis, has been sentenced to 50 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of witness tampering in connection with her son's death. The sentencing took place on November 15, 2024, concluding a case that garnered significant public attention since the boy's disappearance in 2021.
Elijah Lewis was reported missing in October 2021, and his remains were discovered later that month, buried in a state park in Abington, Massachusetts. An autopsy revealed that Elijah died from violence and neglect, suffering facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment, and pressure ulcers. Prosecutors detailed how the child endured severe abuse after being taken into his mother's custody at age four.
Dauphinais, 38, entered a guilty plea on September 26, 2024, under an agreement that initially stipulated a sentence of 55 years to life for knowingly causing her son's death. The two witness tampering sentences, 3.5 to 7 years each, will be served concurrently to each other but consecutively to the murder sentence. Judge Charles Temple, in issuing the sentence, acknowledged prior abuse Dauphinais had suffered but emphasized the need for significant incarceration.
Joseph Stapf, Dauphinais's then-boyfriend, also faced charges in connection with the case and was sentenced for manslaughter. He was expected to testify against Dauphinais as part of his own plea agreement. The case highlighted disturbing text messages between Dauphinais and Stapf, with one message referring to Elijah as a "maggot" and another indicating Dauphinais's intent to kill her son.
The New Hampshire Division for Children Youth and Families had notified police about Elijah's disappearance on October 14, 2021, after concerns arose that the boy had not been seen for approximately a month. The tragic outcome of the case has led to calls from community members and officials for increased vigilance and reporting of suspected child abuse. As Judge Temple stated, "This is not a maggot. It's going to be with us our whole life."