A New Hampshire woman faces a sentence of over 50 years to life in prison
A New Hampshire woman faces a sentence of over 50 years to life in prison in the death of her 5-year-old son, who was beaten, starved and exposed to drugs. He weighed just 19 pounds when his body was found buried in a Massachusetts park in 2021. Danielle Dauphinais, 38, was facing a trial but pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and other charges in the death of Elijah Lewis in an agreement reached with prosecutors. Dauphinais’ boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, second-degree assault, falsifying physical evidence and witness tampering in 2022 in connection with the boy’s death. He was sentenced to 22 to 45 years in prison. Elijah’s autopsy showed he suffered facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment and pressure ulcers. Prosecutors read a series of texts between Stapf and Dauphinais that expressed hostility toward Elijah and frustration if he didn’t behave according to their wishes.