Body Found In Search For Missing New Hampshire Boy

ABINGTON, MA — Officials said that the body of a child found in Ames Nowell State Park Saturday is "presumed to be" missing 5-year-old Elijah Lewis of Merrimack, New Hampshire.

Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, and the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office held a news conference to update the search for the boy, who was last seen alive over a month ago.

"This morning, law enforcement authorities located a body in Abington, Massachusetts, in a wooded area off of Chestnut Street," New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella said. "The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Massachusetts will conduct an autopsy tomorrow to determine the identity of the body, and the exact cause and manner of death. While identification is pending, the appearance and condition of the body lead investigators to believe that the body is that of five-year-old Elijah Lewis."

(Read: Authorities search for missing 5-year-old New Hampshire boy in Abington state park.)

The search and discovery Saturday was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Merrimack Police Department.

New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Susan Morrell said police dogs led authorities to the body located on the ground.

"Horrific tragedies like this often spur countless hours of dedication by so many," New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said. "On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, I would like to thank New Hampshire and Massachusetts law enforcement and everyone else involved for their tireless focus this past week on bringing closure to this search. May Elijah rest in peace."

Formella's office said the matter is now considered "a suspicious death" and the investigation will remain active.

Lewis' mother, Danielle Dauphinais, 35, and her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, 30, pleaded not guilty in Hillsborough County Superior Court South to charges of witness tampering and child endangerment Wednesday. Danielle Dauphinais never reported the boy missing.

"The New Hampshire law enforcement community has worked tirelessly on this search over the past week with partners in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York, as well as our federal partners," Formella said. "We extend our sincere thanks to all those who have assisted thus far. While we are deeply saddened by this tragic situation, we are ready for the work ahead."

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According to WCVB-TV, a cellphone found at a pond in Ayer, MA, was one clue that led investigators to Abington. Before that, searches over the past week had centered on the woods and a lake in Merrimack near 7 Sunset Drive.

On Friday, several members of state police from New Hampshire and Massachusetts searched an area off Chestnut Street in Abington, in a wooded part of the state park.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Agati said Friday night the boy had not been found, but that they believed he was no longer alive based on the most recent information they had received. Crews stopped the search Friday as daylight ended.

On Saturday morning, authorities began working in the woods of Abington again at about 6 a.m. and Chestnut Street was blocked off from all traffic.

Anyone who may have information on this crime 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).

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news