A woman from Nashua, New Hampshire, named Danielle Dauphinais, is set to enter a guilty plea in connection to the death of her 5-year-old son, as per court records. The 38-year-old will plead guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of witness tampering related to the demise of her son Elijah Lewis. The plea agreement was filed recently, indicating that she could face a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.
Elijah was reported missing and later discovered deceased in October 2021 at a park in Massachusetts. An autopsy confirmed that the child had endured facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment, and pressure ulcers. Dauphinais’ partner, Joseph Stapf, had previously pleaded guilty in 2022 to manslaughter, second-degree assault, falsifying physical evidence, and witness tampering regarding the boy’s death, for which he received a prison term of 22 to 45 years.
Prosecutors revealed that Elijah had been subjected to starvation, neglect, and physical abuse. Text messages between Stapf and Dauphinais presented during Stapf’s trial unveiled their hostility towards the young boy. Following Elijah’s passing, the couple placed his body in a container and transported him to Ames Nowell State Park in Massachusetts, where Stapf buried him in a hole.
At the time of discovery, Elijah measured 3 feet tall and weighed 19 pounds. In comparison, an average 5-year-old would typically stand about 3.6 feet tall and weigh closer to 40 pounds. Before Elijah’s remains were located, Stapf and Dauphinais were apprehended in New York on charges related to witness tampering and endangering a child.
Dauphinais was indicted on various charges in 2022, including first-degree murder alleging intentional involvement in her son’s death, second-degree murder due to reckless actions leading to his demise, and three counts of witness tampering. Initially, she pleaded not guilty, but she has since opted to change her plea in light of the recent developments.