Staff reports 4:50 a.m.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 4:50 am
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CONCORD - The missing Merrimack boy found dead and buried in the woods of Abington, Mass., last month died of malnourishment and fentanyl intoxication among other injuries, the Massachusetts chief medical examiner has determined.
The New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office released a statement on Monday detailing the findings, including that Elijah Lewis, 5, also suffered from pressure ulcers, facial, scalp and head trauma; violence and neglect.
Elijah's mother, Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, and her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, 30, remain held without bail on charges of witness tampering and child endangerment.
Elijah's unknown whereabouts were brought to the attention of authorities by DCYF on Oct. 14. The Merrimack Police Department immediately began an investigation, and was assisted later that day by the New Hampshire State Police and the New Hampshire Department of Justice.
Authorities first searched for Elijah's body in and around his Merrimack residence and a nearby pond before investigators developed information that led them to Massachusetts.
A search was conducted in the area of Chestnut Street in Abington where his body was found on based on Oct. 23.
The investigation into Elijah's death remains active and ongoing. 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 Sergeant Kelly Healey, Major Crime Unit, can be contacted directly at Kelly.A.Healey@dos.nh.gov.