A hunter in northeastern Wisconsin discovered the skeletal remains of a 3-year-old boy who went missing in February, police confirmed on Friday.
Elijah Vue was last seen at the home of his mother’s boyfriend in Two Rivers, a city of 11,270 residents located about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay. Two Rivers Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert provided the update during a press conference.
On September 7, a hunter preparing his property in the rural town of Two Rivers for deer season came across the remains. Forensic experts at the state crime lab later identified them as Elijah’s.
“This is not the outcome we were hoping for,” Meinnert said. “The family is devastated, we are devastated, and the community is devastated.”
Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, 31, of Wisconsin Dells, had been charged in February with one felony count of being a party to child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. She has pleaded not guilty. Her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, 39, of Two Rivers, was charged on the same day with one felony count of being a party to child neglect and has also pleaded not guilty.
According to court documents, Baur left her son with Vang on February 12, stating she wanted Vang to teach him “to be a man.” Vang reported the boy missing on February 20, telling authorities he had taken a nap with the boy in the bedroom and awoke three hours later to find him gone.
Elijah’s remains were found approximately 3 miles from where he was last seen, Chief Meinnert said. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s disappearance and death is ongoing.
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Baur’s attorney, Amber Gratz, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Attempts to reach Vang’s attorney, Timothy Hogan, were unsuccessful due to technical issues at his office.
