Elijah Vue. (Image: Two Rivers Police Department)
As Wisconsin authorities search for missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue, scrutiny falls on his mother and a caretaker. Both adults are locked up in the Manitowoc County Jail respectively on a case for party to child neglect, and child neglect.
Authorities are largely keeping mum about it all, but a prosecutor on Friday reportedly said that the mother, Katrina Baur, 31, lied about her own whereabouts during the investigation. The co-defendant, Jesse Vang, 39, is charged because Baur had put Elijah in his care, so it was also his responsibility to make sure the boy was all right.
“She intentionally sent that child for disciplinary reasons for more than a week to the residence,” Manitowoc District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said, according to Green Bay Fox affiliate WLUK. “She was aware of the tactics used and the lack of care provided. This was an intentional thing by her. And, on at least two occasions, during the interviews she has provided false information on her whereabout during the past week.”
Baur’s bond is set at $15,000 while Vang is held on $20,000.
Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang (Mug shot: Two Rivers Police Department)
There remains an ongoing Wisconsin Amber Alert for Elijah. Police in the city of Two Rivers said Tuesday that he was last seen that day at around 8 a.m. the 3900 block of of Mishicot Road.
“Caregiver last saw Elijah at 8am at their residence,” state authorities wrote in the Amber Alert, without naming the caregiver. “No family or associates in the area.”
Authorities describe Vue as being Hmong and white ethnicity, with dark blonde hair and brown eyes. (The Amber Alert used the word “sandy” to describe his hair.) The Amber Alert describes Elijah as standing an even 3 feet and weighing 45 pounds. He has a birthmark on his left knee.
“He was last seen wearing gray pants, long sleeve dark shirt and red and green dinosaur shoes,” police wrote. “He is possibly carrying a red and white plaid blanket as pictured.”
Elijah Vue. (Image: Two Rivers Police Department)
From cops:
Remember to call our tip line at 844-267-6648 or submit information via our Crime Stoppers P3 app with any information you think could be helpful. Callers with information leading to the location of Elijah, or arrest of person(s) involved in or responsible for his disappearance could become eligible to receive a reward of up to $1000.00 through Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers.
Officers recommend that people can search for unusual items on their property, and to review their surveillance footage from Feb. 12 through the 20th. They did not explain the reason behind the time span.
Also from cops:
Here are some things you can do to assist, even outside of Two Rivers:
• Check anywhere a small child could hide, climb, or fall.
• Check your own property for any items that don’t belong to you which could include anything from Elijah; the red, white and black plaid blanket; or dinosaur printed shoes.
• Check your surveillance systems from February 12th through February 20th. We usually look back several days from the report to ensure we are thorough. Look for anyone matching Elijah’s description in your surveillance footage. You can also search public land for the aforementioned items or anything you feel relevant to this investigation.
Please do not touch anything you find, but instead contact the tip line at 1-844-267-6648 or Two Rivers Police Dispatch at 1-920-686-7200 immediately.
