A New Hampshire man will admit on Wednesday that he killed his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son last year.
The Boston Globe reported that Joseph Stapf, 31, will plead guilty to manslaughter, second-degree assault, falsifying physical evidence, and witness tampering. Stapf was dating Elijah Lewis’ mother at the time of his disappearance and death.
In October, a cadaver dog discovered Lewis’ body buried at Ames Nowell State Park in Abington, Massachusetts. The boy was last seen days earlier at his home in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Lewis had not been seen for a month before authorities were notified of his disappearance. He was reported missing nine days before his body was found and three days before his mother, Danielle Dauphinais, and Staph were arrested in New York in connection with his disappearance.
According to WMUR, an autopsy stated that Lewis suffered acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment, pressure ulcers, and injuries to his face and scalp.
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In April, Dauphinais was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and witness tampering. She remains in custody.
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[Featured image: Elijah Lewis/Handout]
