Body found in woods believed to be that of missing Merrimack boy

Elijah Lewis, Joseph Stapf, Danielle Denise Dauphinais (Courtesy photos)

CONCORD - The search for a missing Merrimack boy ended tragically today as authorities located a body in a wooded area of Abington, Mass.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Massachusetts will conduct an autopsy tomorrow to determine the identity of the body, and the exact cause and manner of death, but the appearance and condition of the body lead investigators to believe it is 5-year-old Elijah Lewis.

The search was conducted in the area of Chestnut Street based on information learned in the investigation and was performed by Massachusetts State Police with assistance from personnel from the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit.

Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, Elijah's mom, and a man she was traveling with, Joseph Stapf, 30, were arrested in New York City on Sunday on child endangerment and other charges.

A Merrimack lake was searched earlier this week for evidence of his disappearance but investigators turned up nothing.

Elijah's unknown whereabouts were brought to the attention of authorities by DCYF on Oct. 14.