New images released by a Wisconsin auto shop Thursday show 3-year-old missing tot, Elijah Vue, inside the establishment with his mother’s former boyfriend earlier this month.
The owner at Ross Auto Service in Two Rivers provided the photos to FOX 11 and said that Jesse Vang, who’s currently behind bars on child neglect charges, brought Elijah into the store on February 16. The owner said he didn’t suspect anything unusual and contacted police when he learned Elijah was missing.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Elijah was last seen on February 20 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 Vang, was arrested after his disappearance, along with the child’s mother, Katrina Baur.
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 he fell asleep and when woke up three hours later, the child was gone.
Vang said he had been in a relationship with the child’s mother, Katrina Bau, 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.
Vang is now facing a child neglect charge and Baur is charged with being a party to the crime. Vang’s bail has been set at $20,000 cash, while Baur’s bail has been set at $15,000 cash.
In a court document filed on Thursday, Baur, through her attorney, petitioned the court to change the $15,000 cash bail requirement to a personal recognizance bond. She’s currently unable to meet bail, according to the document obtained by WBAY.
Meanwhile, the search for Elijah has reached its 10th day.
Police have requested assistance from local, state, and federal sources using dogs, drones, and personnel. They are also asking residents and business owners to continue to check surveillance cameras for any images or videos of Elijah.
Elijah is 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.
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]
