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A New Hampshire woman accused of murdering her 5-year-old son pleads guilty

Something they described as torture. GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY? GUILTY. DANIELLE DAUPHINAIS ADMITS IN COURT TO KILLING HER FIVE-YEAR-OLD SON ELIJAH LEWIS. PROSECUTORS say evidence shows how the boy suffered after being taken into custody aged four. Elijah was attacked, starved, isolated and neglected. He was tortured. The prosecutor disseminated disturbing SMS messages, many of which Dauphinais sent, which we cannot share on television. ELIJAH, I will kill him and I mean it. He said he wants food and he wants me to stop starving him because it's not nice. DOLPHINE'S FRIEND, JOSEPH STAFF, NOW IN PRISON FOR HIS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE BOY'S DEATH. Coworkers told investigators they found Elijah days before his death. ELIAS WAS SITTING IN THE BATHTUB SURROUNDED BY BROKEN TILES. ELIAS WAS NAKED AND DISORIENTED AND HAD AN INJURY ON THE HEAD. HIS body was later discovered in Massachusetts, buried in a state park in Abington, Dauphin and his staff captured in New York City. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT AGREE WITH ALL THE FACTS. THE DEFENSE SAYS DAUPHIN does not agree with all the facts read out in court, but admits she knowingly participated in the boy's death. I have a stomach ache and can't believe what I heard today. This is not the person I knew, but I firmly believe that she must achieve the absolute maximum. DAUPHIN faces 58 years to life in prison and sentencing is scheduled for next month. This also includes witness tampering charges. She allegedly told her siblings to lie to DCF officials about Elijah's whereabouts.

A New Hampshire woman accused of murdering her 5-year-old son pleads guilty

A Merrimack, New Hampshire, woman pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering her 5-year-old son, whose body was later found in Massachusetts. Danielle Dauphinais, 38, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of witness tampering in the killing of her son Elijah Lewis, who was first reported missing nearly four years ago. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for knowingly causing the death of her 5-year-old son, Elijah Lewis. Dauphinais is also expected to plead guilty to two counts of witness tampering. Dauphinais' arms and legs remained shackled throughout the 90-minute hearing as graphic details of the case were presented. “Between September 27, 2020 and September 21, 2021, Elijah was attacked, starved, isolated and neglected,” said New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Bethany Durand. Elijah was reported missing in October 2021. The 5-year-old boy's remains were discovered later that month and buried in a state park in Abington, Massachusetts. The coroner concluded that the boy died from violence and neglect. “I have a stomach ache and can't believe what I heard today. “This is not the person I knew, but I believe she deserves the absolute maximum and I hope the state follows through on this,” a family friend said. If Dauphinais is convicted at a later date, she could face 55 years in prison for murder. She would also receive two prison sentences of 3 1/2 to 7 years, to be served concurrently. These sentences would be served consecutively or consecutively with the second-degree murder sentence. “It's interesting that she's going to rely on knowledge. I think that would allow the state to justify a higher penalty,” said Patricia LaFrance of Black, LaFrance and Bollinger. One of the terms of the plea deal is that Dauphinais must not benefit in any way from her crimes, including the murder and life of her son. This prevents them from making a profit from book deals, podcasts, films or television. Dauphinais' then-boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, is in prison on manslaughter charges in connection with the case and was scheduled to testify in Dauphinais' trial, which was scheduled to begin Oct. 15 but now will not take place.

MANCHESTER, N.H. –

A Merrimack, New Hampshire, woman pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering her 5-year-old son, whose body was later found in Massachusetts.

Danielle Dauphinais, 38, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of witness tampering in the killing of her son Elijah Lewis, who was first reported missing nearly four years ago.

She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for knowingly causing the death of her 5-year-old son, Elijah Lewis. Dauphinais is also expected to plead guilty to two counts of witness tampering.

Dauphinais' arms and legs remained shackled throughout the 90-minute hearing as graphic details of the case were presented.

“Between September 27, 2020 and September 21, 2021, Elijah was attacked, starved, isolated and neglected. He was tortured,” said New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Bethany Durand.

Elijah Lewis photo

NH Attorney General's Office

Elijah was reported missing in October 2021. The five-year-old boy's remains were discovered later that month and buried at a state park in Abington, Massachusetts. The coroner concluded that the boy died from violence and neglect.

“I have a stomach ache and can't believe what I heard today. “This is not the person I knew, but I believe she deserves the absolute maximum and I hope the state follows through on this,” a family friend said.

If Dauphinais is convicted at a later date, she could face 55 years to life in prison for murder.

She would also receive two prison sentences of 3 1/2 to 7 years, to be served concurrently. These sentences would be served consecutively or consecutively with the second-degree murder sentence.

“It's interesting that she's going to rely on knowledge. I think that would allow the state to justify a higher penalty,” said Patricia LaFrance of Black, LaFrance and Bollinger.

One of the terms of the plea deal is that Dauphinais must not benefit in any way from her crimes, including the murder and life of her son. This prevents them from making a profit from book deals, podcasts, films or television.

Dauphinais' then-boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, is in prison on manslaughter charges in connection with the case and was scheduled to testify in Dauphinais' trial, which was scheduled to begin Oct. 15 but now will not take place.

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