After an extensive search that lasted nearly two weeks, there is a latest development in the case of Elijah Vue, a 3-year-old Wisconsin toddler who went missing. According to prosecutors, the child’s mother had sent him to a residence with the intention of teaching him how to “become a man.”
On Monday, Wisconsin authorities announced that they have identified a car of interest in the ongoing search for the missing child.
The Two Rivers Police Department took to Facebook on Monday evening to provide an update and request assistance from homeowners and businesses. They urged people to carefully review any surveillance footage captured between 2 and 9 p.m. on Feb. 19. The police department is actively searching for Elijah and believes that reviewing video footage can help uncover valuable information. They specifically asked residents in the Two Rivers area and adjacent counties to participate in this effort.
Law enforcement has taken possession of a vehicle of interest that has been identified, according to authorities. The vehicle in question is a 1997 four-door beige Nissan Altima, with a Wisconsin license plate that starts with “A” and ends with “0.” No further information about the vehicle or its owner has been provided by authorities.
Elijah disappeared on February 20th after his mother sent him to stay with a man who is now facing charges of child neglect. Despite extensive efforts by the police and local community, Elijah has not been found yet.
Over the weekend, ground searches were carried out by crews from the Wisconsin National Guard, as dive teams assisted by the Department of Natural Resources conducted checks near the shorelines of Lake Michigan and Twin River, according to KARE 11, the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
According to the Two Rivers Police Department, law enforcement from across the state will provide assistance in large-scale operations to expand their rural search efforts on Tuesday.
On February 27, the FBI made a public announcement, offering a reward of $15,000 to anyone who could provide information that would lead to the safe return of Elijah and the apprehension of those accountable for his disappearance. Following the incident, both Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, and the individual he had been residing with, Jesse Vang, faced charges of child neglect in connection with the young child’s vanishing.
A 31-year-old woman from Wisconsin Dells, Baur, has been charged in Manitowoc County with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. Currently, she is being held on a $15,000 cash bond.
Vang, a 39-year-old resident of Two Rivers, has been charged with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect. Currently, he is being held on a $20,000 cash bond.
Baur and Vang had their first court appearances last week, and preliminary hearings were scheduled for March 7, according to court records.
According to court documents, Baur explained to the police that she had entrusted Elijah to Vang on February 12th with the intention of having him teach her son important life lessons and help him develop into a responsible young man. She had originally planned to retrieve Elijah on February 23rd.
According to Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre, Baur had sent Elijah to stay with Vang as a form of discipline. It should be noted that Baur was not present in Two Rivers, which is approximately 30 miles southeast of Green Bay, at the time of Elijah’s disappearance.
On February 20, Vang contacted the police and informed them that Elijah was missing. According to his statement, Vang had taken a nap that morning and had brought Elijah into the bedroom with him. However, when he woke up approximately three hours later, Elijah was no longer there.
According to the complaint, Vang informed the police that he was in a relationship with Bauer and had been actively assisting with her son’s problematic behaviors.
Vang told authorities that he was attempting to address the toddler’s challenging behaviors.
Homeowners and businesses in the vicinity are being requested to upload any relevant video footage they may have to assist the police.
If you have any information regarding Elijah’s location, please reach out to the Two Rivers Police Department at 844-267-6648. Alternatively, you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
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