Missing Merrimack Child Possibly Seen In Last 30 Days

MERRIMACK, NH — Danielle Dauphinais and Joseph Stapf were arraigned in New York City late Monday and waived extradition to New Hampshire.

The two were wanted on felony charges connected to the investigation of the disappearance of Elijah Lewis, Dauphinais' son, who is 5.

Investigators now believe Elijah was last seen at his home sometime within the last 30 days based on new information. As previously reported, 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. Elijah was never reported missing to authorities prior to this time.

Dauphinais is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in Hillsborough County Superior Court South. The arraignment time and date are subject to change and are expected to be via video. The arraignment of Joseph Stapf has not yet been scheduled.

Tuesday at 2:50 p,m. Merrimack Fire Rescue was dispatched for a medical call in the booking area of Merrimack Police Station. Upon their arrival, firefighters and medics entered the building, and a short time later brought a stretcher out with a man and put him in the waiting ambulance where an officer entered the ambulance with the medics. The ambulance was followed by a lieutenant of NH State Police Major Crime, and a Merrimack police cruiser, and the man was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Several people identified the man as Stapf, however, NH Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati said he could not confirm at this time.

Throughout the day several agencies worked in the area of Sunset Drive. New Hampshire State Police, Fish, and Game used K-9s to search a large wooded area near a YWCA Camp on Camp Sargent Road. K-9 officers also worked in the woods at the end of Ingham Road.

New Hampshire Fish And Game Dive Team searched several areas of Naticook Lake. A Fish and Game Conservation Officer used a kayak to search several areas of shoreline on Naticook Lake and around Blueberry Island.

New Hampshire State Police Major Crime truck and investigators arrived at 7 Sunset Ave in the afternoon. Several items were removed from inside and outside of the house and placed in the Major Crime truck.

Dawn Avenue and parts of Sunset Avenue continue to be cordoned off with crime scene tape, and Merrimack police officers have remained to provide around-the-clock scene security. Residents in the area are escorted to and from their houses by police officers.

As investigators worked at the scene several people from the neighborhood came to see what was going on, and share theories of what they believed happened. Several news crews from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine were in the area gathering video and interviewing residents.

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.

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 while protecting the integrity of the investigation.

A man is taken from Merrimack Police station by Merrimack firefighters. The ambulance was followed by Merrimack Police and NHSP Major Crime to the hospital. Several people identified the man as Joseph Stapf, however, the NH AG won't verify the identity.

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©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news