Authorities Search Merrimack Lake As Part Of Missing Child Case
Police were notified on Thursday by DCYF that the child, Elijah (Eli) Lewis, was missing and had not been seen for months. Merrimack police immediately began to investigate, and a short time later, asked for assistance from other agencies including the NH State Police Major Crime, and the NH Attorney Generals Office.
The department's dispatch log indicated police were notified by DCYF at 3:57 p.m. and an officer was requested to meet with DCYF at the police station. At 5:19 p.m., 12 officers were assigned to a call at 7 Sunset Drive for a follow-up to the initial report.
Friday afternoon, detectives worked with the major crime unit both on Sunset Drive and police station headquarters, gathering information. Initially, a press release was issued stating there was an investigation underway and that initial information was that there was no danger to the public. On Sunset Drive, the house was surrounded by crime scene tape, and police gathered evidence and photographed the scene.
Several sources indicate that the two adults they are looking to talk to lived at the 7 Sunset Drive location. The home, according to Merrimack's online tax records, is owned by Joanne Stapf who is the mother of Joseph Stapf.
Agati, in an interview outside the Merrimack police station, said, "This is not a situation where we think the child walked away."
Saturday Merrimack Police Detectives continued to work with State Police Major Crime at the 7 Sunset Drive location. New Hampshire Marine Patrol and a specialized NHSP K9 Plott Hound and a Merrimack Detective circled Naticook Lake searched the water for several hours. K9 Trooper Barry and his K9 Oakley are trained in searching for missing people, and for water searches.
Authorities Search Merrimack Lake As Part Of Missing Child Case
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