The Federal Bureau of Investigation has offered a reward of up to $15,000 for any information that leads to the discovery and safe return of 3-year-old Wisconsin boy, Elijah Vue.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Elijah was last seen February 20 by his caregiver at an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road. Police said no family members or other “associates” were in the area at the time, but his mother, Katrina Baur, and a man identified as Jesse Vang were arrested after his disappearance.
A criminal complaint says that Vang reported the child missing, claiming that he brought Elijah into a bedroom with him at around 8 a.m., and ordered him to stand next to the bed and pray. Vang claimed Elijah fell asleep and when he checked on him around three hours later, the child was gone.
Vang said he had been in a relationship with Baur and that Elijah had been staying with him because he “had behaviors,” the criminal complaint stated.
Baur, who lived around 100 miles away, previously told investigators she’d left the child with Vang “for disciplinary reasons” and to teach the 3-year-old how to “be a man.” She reportedly dropped the child off with Vang on February 12 and had plans to pick him up on February 23.
Elijah Vue Criminal Complaint by Leigh Egan
Although Baur reportedly said she wanted to impose some limitations on the discipline that Vang doled out, she also said she was “fine with whatever discipline Vang enforces.”
Baur and Vang appeared briefly in court Monday afternoon and were formally charged. Vang is facing a child neglect charge and Baur is charged with being a party to the crime. Vang’s bond has been set at $20,000 cash, while Baur’s bond has been set at $15,000 cash.
Meanwhile, the search for Elijah continues.
He’s described as being of Hmong and white ethnicity with dark blond hair and brown eyes. He stands 3 feet tall, weighs between 35 and 40 pounds, and has a birthmark on his left knee. He was last seen wearing gray pants, a long-sleeved, dark shirt, and red and green dinosaur slip-on shoes. He may have been carrying a red and white plaid blanket.
Police said they have requested assistance from local, state, and federal sources using dogs, drones, and personnel. They are also asking residents to check surveillance cameras for any images of the missing boy, as well as vehicles, outbuildings, and garages.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the state tip line at 844-267-6648, Two Rivers police at 920-686-7200, or the P3 app for anonymous tips.
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[Feature Photo via Wisconsin State Police]
