Authorities Search Merrimack Lake As Part Of Missing Child Case

MERRIMACK, NH — New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit and Merrimack police continue to investigate a missing 5-year-old, last seen six months ago.

Police were notified on Thursday by DCYF that the child, Elijah (Eli) Lewis, was missing and had not been seen for months. Merrimack police immediately began to investigate, and a short time later, asked for assistance from other agencies including the NH State Police Major Crime, and the NH Attorney Generals Office.

The department's dispatch log indicated police were notified by DCYF at 3:57 p.m. and an officer was requested to meet with DCYF at the police station. At 5:19 p.m., 12 officers were assigned to a call at 7 Sunset Drive for a follow-up to the initial report.

Friday afternoon, detectives worked with the major crime unit both on Sunset Drive and police station headquarters, gathering information. Initially, a press release was issued stating there was an investigation underway and that initial information was that there was no danger to the public. On Sunset Drive, the house was surrounded by crime scene tape, and police gathered evidence and photographed the scene.

A State Police K-9 was brought to the scene and appeared to search the outside area around the house. State Police Major Crime Unit left the Sunset Drive location at about 9 p.m. with police remaining at the house, providing security of the scene.

Late Friday night Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Nathan A. Noyes, and Merrimack Police Chief Brian K. Levesque announced the search for a missing child out of Merrimack.

At a press conference, Senior Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Agati identified indicated the child was last seen by independent individuals approximately six months ago. He confirmed Elijah’s unknown whereabouts were brought to the attention of authorities by DCYF on Thursday.

Officials are also said they are looking to speak with Elijah’s mother Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, who may be in the company of Joseph Stapf, 30. They are believed to be driving a red/maroon 2007 Toyota Tundra with New Hampshire license plate JOJOD78.

Dauphinais is described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighing about 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Stapf is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs approximately 170 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. Photos of Dauphinais and Stapf, as well as a photo of a similar red 2007 Toyota Tundra, were distributed to assist in locating the two adults.

Several sources indicate that the two adults they are looking to talk to lived at the 7 Sunset Drive location. The home, according to Merrimack's online tax records, is owned by Joanne Stapf who is the mother of Joseph Stapf.

Agati, in an interview outside the Merrimack police station, said, “This is not a situation where we think the child walked away.”

Saturday Merrimack Police Detectives continued to work with State Police Major Crime at the 7 Sunset Drive location. New Hampshire Marine Patrol and a specialized NHSP K9 Plott Hound and a Merrimack Detective circled Naticook Lake searched the water for several hours. K9 Trooper Barry and his K9 Oakley are trained in searching for missing people, and for water searches.

Detectives photographed the shoreline around the Sunset Drive house and a beach area to the left of the house that is a private beach. A State Police Trooper was seen photographing inside a shed on the property and other areas outside the house.

People living in the neighborhood who did not want to be identified said they have not seen the homeowner, Joanne Stapf for a few days. A car that neighbors say is connected to the residence sits in the driveway.

Anyone with information on Elijah’s whereabouts, or anyone who knows Danielle Dauphinais or Joseph Stapf’s whereabouts or the location of their truck 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.

Based on the information currently known to investigators, there does not appear to be any danger to the public. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news