Mom who beat and starved her 5-year-old son to death sobs in court as she’s sentenced to over 53 years to life in prison
Danielle Dauphinais, a 38-year-old New Hampshire mother, was sentenced to 53 years to life for the death of her 5-year-old son, Elijah Lewis, who suffered severe abuse before his 19-pound body was found buried in a Massachusetts park in 2021.
Dauphinais broke down in court, weeping, as she expressed remorse, stating, “I’m so sorry, Elijah, that I failed you as your mother.” However, prosecutors argued she “tortured and neglected” her son, who endured beatings, starvation, and fentanyl exposure.
Elijah’s autopsy revealed significant abuse such as facial and scalp injuries, malnourishment, pressure ulcers, and acute fentanyl intoxication. Dauphinais pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and additional charges last month, foregoing a trial.
Prosecutors sought a 55-year sentence, while her defense asked for 35 years. Judge Charles Temple condemned Dauphinais’ actions, highlighting hateful texts she sent about her son and stating she was “killing him, hour by hour.”
Dauphinais’ boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, previously pleaded guilty to related charges, including manslaughter and assault, and was sentenced to 22 to 45 years.
Prosecutors read texts showing both adults expressing hostility toward Elijah and discussing starvation as punishment. Dauphinais blamed her ex-husband, Timothy Lewis, for withholding insurance information, which she claimed prevented her from seeking help for Elijah’s psychiatric issues.
Elijah lived with Dauphinais, Stapf, and their 2-year-old daughter in a basement at Stapf’s mother’s home.
Concerned about Elijah’s welfare, his father, Lewis, had contacted child services, which opened an investigation after Elijah failed to receive proper care. However, Dauphinais lied to child services, claiming Elijah was with family members who later revealed she had asked them to lie.
Lewis told the child services agency that he couldn’t take Elijah back because he was concerned for the safety of other children living in his home.
Elijah was believed to have died in September 2021. Authorities allege Dauphinais and Stapf placed his body in a container and buried him in the Massachusetts park.
When arrested in New York, they were still claiming Elijah was with others. Days later, his remains were discovered; he was only 3 feet tall and weighed 19 pounds, far below the average (40 pounds) for a child his age.
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Lewis, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dauphinais, Stapf, Stapf’s mother, and child services, addressed the court, expressing his inability to forgive Dauphinais and wishing her to be haunted by their son’s death.