Couple thought to have absconded with child found, but not little Elijah

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

CONCORD - Two people sought in the disappearance of a Merrimack child were arrested in New York City on Sunday.

Officers of the New York City Transit Authority located and arrested Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, and Joseph Stapf, 30, in the Bronx on warrants charging them with Witness Tampering and Child Endangerment.

Officials, however, did not find Elijah Lewis, Dauphinais' son, for whom an Amber Alert was sounded Thursday night. The search for Elijah continues, and police continue to see the public's assistance in locating him.

Five-year-old Elijah Lewis' unknown whereabouts were brought to the attention of authorities by DCYF on Thursday, six months since the little was last seen by what are being described only as "independent individuals."

DCYF reported Elijah's unknown whereabouts to police on Thursday, according to the AG's office press release.

Dauphinais and Stapf will be arraigned in the Bronx County Criminal Court located at 215 East 161st Street in New York City, New York, at 12:30 p.m. today.

The State of New Hampshire has sought their extradition. If they choose to waive formal extradition, they will be returned to New Hampshire for arraignment in Hillsborough County Superior Court, Southern District later this week.

Anyone with information on Elijah's whereabouts, or anyone who knows Danielle Dauphinais or Joseph Stapf's whereabouts or the location of their truck is asked to contact the Merrimack Police Department's Crimeline at (603) 424-2424 or New Hampshire State Police Communications at (603) 223-4381 or 603-MCU-TIPS (603-628-8477). Lead Investigator Detective Sergeant Kelly Healey, Major Crime Unit, can be contacted directly at Kelly.A.Healey@dos.nh.gov.