Mother of 5-year-old Elijah Lewis of New Hampshire arrested along with man in connection with child’s disappearance

Six months ago was the last time anyone saw 5-year-old Elijah “Eli” Lewis of Merrimack, New Hampshire.

Now, the boy’s mother and a man have been arrested in connection with the case as officials continue to search for the child.

Danielle Denise Dauphinais, the boy’s 35-year-old mother, and her associate, Joseph Stapf, 30, were arrested by the New York City Transit Authority on Sunday.

Elijah went missing six months ago, but it was only on Thursday when the Merrimack Police Department was notified of his disappearance by the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

The same day, the New Hampshire State Police, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office and the New Hampshire Department of Justice also became involved.

DCYF declined to comment on the circumstances around its report to law enforcement due to state and federal law requiring them “to protect the confidentiality of children and families served by and individuals engaged with DCYF.”

Dauphinais and Stapf were arrested in Bronx, New York on Sunday on warrants for witness tampering and child endangerment, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella’s office.

Dauphinais and Stapf, knowing that child protection services were looking for Elijah, allegedly asked people to lie about where the 5-year-old lived. Officials also claim they violated a duty of care, protection and support for the boy.

“Our search is physically in that area for evidence of where Elijah is, but also we are searching throughout New England to try and find where he is,” New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Benjamin J. Agati told WMUR.

Dauphinais and Stapf were arraigned Monday at the Bronx County Criminal Court. New Hampshire authorities have sought their extradition.

“If they choose to waive formal extradition, they will be returned to New Hampshire for arraignment in Hillsborough County Superior Court, Southern District later this week,” the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office said.

Authorities searched the Naticook Lake in Merrimack for evidence on Saturday, officials told the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Anyone with information on Elijah’s whereabouts 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.