NASHUA, N.H. – A mother from New Hampshire vehemently denied any involvement in the harm of her missing son during a police interrogation nearly two years ago. Danielle Dauphinais, 38, told detectives on October 18, 2021, “We did not hurt that little boy,” vehemently rejecting any accusations against her and her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf.
The arrest of Dauphinais and Stapf, 34, occurred a day prior at a subway station in the Bronx, New York. Their arrest preceded the grim discovery of the body of five-year-old Elijah Lewis in a Massachusetts park just days later.
Despite her initial denials, Dauphinais later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and witness tampering charges. Her plea deal reduced the charge from first-degree murder, and she now faces a sentence ranging from 53 1/2 years to life. Stapf entered a guilty plea to manslaughter and was sentenced to a maximum of 45 years in prison.
Court documents revealed a disturbing text message from Dauphinais to a friend, comparing her own son to notorious serial killers Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer. In stark contrast, family and friends during court proceedings affectionately described Elijah as a vibrant child with an unmistakable “zest for life,” a sentiment echoed by the presiding judge.
In the 2021 interrogation footage, Dauphinais maintained her innocence and claimed ignorance about her son’s fate. However, she conceded to investigators that Elijah was probably dead.
Prosecutors presented evidence of text messages between Dauphinais and Stapf discussing abusive treatment towards Elijah. Stapf reportedly urged Dauphinais to feed and care for Elijah properly to improve his appearance, tragic proof of their neglect. Authorities later revealed that Elijah died sometime between September 21 and 24, with Stapf reportedly finding him severely injured in a bathtub.
Following Elijah’s death, Dauphinais and Stapf allegedly conspired to dispose of the child’s body. The pair drove to Abington, Massachusetts, where they buried Elijah in a shallow grave.
Despite overwhelming evidence and her subsequent plea, Dauphinais’s defiant proclamation during her arrest remains a haunting echo of the tragic case.