Elijah Lewis was a New Hampshire boy who was reported missing earlier this month, authorities announced Saturday.
Massachusetts police recover body presumed to be missing Hampshire boy.
An official said no charges have been filed in Elijah Lewis’ death as of Saturday, but that could change based on the autopsy results.
Age
He was 5 years old.
Elijah Lewis Missing
He was reported missing on Oct. 14. Authorities previously said Elijah had not been seen by people outside his home for six months, though in recent days, an investigation turned up at least one sighting since mid-September.
Elijah’s mother, Danielle Denise Dauphinais, and a man NBC Boston described as her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, were charged on Monday with witness tampering and child endangerment to Elijah’s disappearance.
Body Found
According to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz, a cadaver dog found the body buried in a wooded area in Abington.
Abington is about 72 miles southeast of Merrimack, where Elijah lived.
A medical examiner will identify the body and cause of death, but officials said the remains are believed to be Elijah’s.
“Nobody deserves to die this way and we’re going to make sure we do everything in our power to make sure we get justice for this little boy,” Cruz said during a news conference.
Investigation
New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan Morrell said investigators are saddened about “the fact that he was disposed of down here in the woods.”
“Our sympathies go out to his family and friends of the family and to the community who is mourning his death,” Morrell said.
New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati said Friday night they believe Elijah is dead.
“We do have a belief at this time that Elijah is deceased,” Agati said.
Investigators on Friday were also in Randolph, Massachusetts, which is 15 minutes outside of Abington. They did not say why they were there.
A vigil for Elijah is planned for 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Watson Park in Merrimack.
