‘Gonna kill this kid’: N.H. mom was depriving son of nourishment before his death, texts reveal
A New Hampshire mother on Thursday pleaded guilty to murder in the 2021 death of her five-year-old son, Elijah Lewis.
Danielle Dauphinais of Merrimack appeared in Hillsborough County Superior Court on Thursday morning, shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit. She pleaded guilty to second degree murder and two counts witness tampering in the death of her young son.
“Elijah was assaulted, starved, isolated, and neglected. He was tortured,” a prosecutor said.
The state said Elijah died between Sept. 21, 2021 and Sept. 24, 2021.
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The boy was found face down in the fetal position in a shallow hole at Ames Nowell State Park in Abington.
According to prosecutors, had this case gone to trial, Dr. Richard Atkinson, who was at the burial site and conducted Elijah’s autopsy, would have said, “Elijah died as a result of violence and neglect including facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment, and pressure ulcers.”
“I am sick to my stomach and I can’t believe what I heard today. That’s not the person I knew,” MJ Morrison, Elijah’s aunt, said after Thursday’s court hearing.
Dauphinais was indicted by a grand jury on murder charges in connection with her son’s death in April 2022. Dauphinais and her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, were originally charged with witness tampering and child endangerment. Both remain in prison.
Prosecutors said Thursday that the investigation into Elijah’s whereabouts began after Dauphinais gave birth to a baby boy and Stapf dropped the child off at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester.
The Division of Children, Youth, and Families began questioning Dauphinais about where Elijah was.
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Prosecutors said she told them “Elijah was gone” and then said he was living with her sister Tracy in California. Her sister later told the social worker and investigators that Dauphinais asked her to lie and say Elijah was with her in California, but she refused.
According to cell phone records, Dauphinais was confronted again by DCYF workers, at which point she told them she sent Elijah to her brother’s house in Texas.
Her brother, Bruce, told DCYF workers he had custody of Elijah since September, not knowing it was more than a wellness check, but couldn’t provide any information on him like where he went to school. He was told to call them back but never did.
DCYF then went to Merrimack Police to report Elijah as missing.
Text messages between Dauphinais and Stapf revealed she was depriving the child of nourishment, prosecutors said in court.
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“I gave him a small bowl of cereal so he would shut the **** up. But that wasn’t enough. He said he wants food and wants me to stop starving him because it’s not nice,” read one message.
“I’m gonna kill this kid joe, ****ing screaming at the top of his lungs ****ing water,” said another from Dauphinais to Stapf.
Prosecutors outlined how and when the couple buried Elijah.
Merrimack Police tracked the couple’s cell phones, finding that the pair traveled through Boston to Abington, 14 hours after investigators started asking questions.
Prosecutors said Stapf buried Elijah’s body and put a white birch tree over his grave. Then, the couple drove to Mohegan Sun, had a bite to eat, went to a country music concert and boarded a bus to New York City.
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The two were arrested at a subway station in the Bronx.
Cristee Chasse went to the courthouse on Thursday wearing a shirt that read, ‘Justice for Elijah.’
“Absolutely disgusting, disgusting. And that could have been prevented. A lot of this, according to what happened today and what I heard, happened after the fact, that he went to the doctors and bruising was seen,” said Chasse.
Prosecutors also said that Elijah weighed 32 pounds at his last and only doctor’s visit with his mother, and weighed 19 pounds when his body was found in the state park.
“I’m just hoping she gets the absolute maximum. That’s what Elijah deserves,” added Morrison.
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Dauphinais is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 25.
She could face between 58 years to life in prison.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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Four people have died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a New Hampshire residence, according to officials who reported that the victims were found dead on Christmas.
The Wakefield, N.H. Police Department responded to 2962 Province Lake Road for a welfare check at around 4:21 p.m. on Wednesday.
When police officers arrived, they found four people who were dead. Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office were requested to respond to the scene.
The names of the four victims, all adults, were being withheld pending next of kin notification.
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“While the investigation remains active and ongoing, at this time, investigators believe the victims died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning,” New Hampshire officials wrote in a release.
Autopsies were scheduled to be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday to confirm the cause and manner of death for each of the victims.
“State Fire Marshal Toomey would like to remind everyone of the importance of having working carbon monoxide alarms in their homes,” officials wrote. “In the event of an alarm activation, residents should immediately exit their homes and call 9-1-1. Anyone with questions about home fire and carbon monoxide safety should contact their local fire department or the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.”
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled, according to the CDC. It claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill.
Many household items including gas- and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills produce this poison gas.
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“Install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home,” the CDC states. “Check CO detector batteries when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall to be sure they are functioning properly… Replace your CO detector following the manufacturer’s instructions or every 5 years. Set a reminder on your smartphone or other device calendar when you purchase and install the detector.”
Anyone with information that may help with the Wakefield investigation is urged to contact the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office was assisted at the scene by members of Wakefield Fire Rescue, the Wakefield Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police.
Four people were found dead late Wednesday afternoon at a home in Wakefield, N.H., after an apparent carbon monoxide exposure, New Hampshire State Police said.
At 4:21 p.m., police responded to 2962 Province Lake Road for a welfare check, State Police said in a statement.
Police found multiple adults dead inside, the statement said.
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The identities of the victims were not released “pending next of kin notification,” according to the statement.
Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted at the scene, authorities said. Wakefield Fire Rescue, Wakefield Police Department, and New Hampshire State Police also provided aid at the scene, officials said.
The official causes of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday, according to the statement.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.
State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey said residents should ensure they have working carbon monoxide alarms in their homes, the statement said. Residents should immediately exit their homes and call 9-1-1 when an alarm is activated, according to the statement.
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Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can be produced by household items including burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Some common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, described as “flu-like,” are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, the website said.
Kiera McDonald can be reached at kiera.mcdonald@globe.com.
CONCORD, NH — From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays.
We hope you have a great time with family and friends during this joyous time of the year.
Unlike last year, when it was kinda dreary due to not having any snow, there is a little bit on the ground this year, thankfully. It’s incredible how something as simple as a little white stuff on the ground can make the mood festive.
If you need some posts and videos to get into the holiday spirit, check out some of the ones I put together this season:
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Also Read
The Concord Nativity scene outside the Statehouse on Christmas Eve 2024. Credit: Tony Schinella
This year, I ran out of time and did not get to put together a Christmas lights video. I ran out of time last year, too. However, I’ll make a mental note to do one in 2025; it’s work to put together, but they are a lot of fun.
If you haven’t seen the prior videos, check them out here:
Christmas Lights in Concord 2022:
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Christmas Lights in Concord 2021:
Christmas Lights in Concord 2020, Part 1:
Christmas Lights in Concord 2020, Part 2:
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I’ll have a few “Best Of” posts next week, and we can then welcome in the New Year.
Until then, stay safe and enjoy your time with your family and friends.
Got a news tip? Could you send it to tony.schinella@patch.com? View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.
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