MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Cash bonds were set for the mother of missing 3-year-old boy Elijah Vue and another man.
Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang appeared in court Friday. Police are recommending Baur, the boy’s mother, be charged with being party to the crime of child neglect. Vang may be charged with child neglect.
In asking the court for no bond, for the two, to be set, Linda Vue, Elijah’s Vue’s aunt, said, “At this moment they are the prime suspects, so until we find the truth as to the whereabout of Elijah we want to make sure that these two are readily available for questioning.”
Probable cause statements against the two have been sealed by a judge. However, in court, district attorney Jacalyn LaBre said Baur left her child with Vang in Two Rivers for a week “for disciplinary reasons.” LaBre said Baur, who lives in Wisconsin Dells, provided false information to police about her whereabouts.
In her argument for cash bond, Manitowoc County District Attorney, Jacalyn LaBre, said, “She intentionally sent that child for disciplinary reasons for more than a week to the residence. 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.”
Court Commissioner Patricia Koppa set a $15,000 cash bond for Baur.
LaBre said the recommended charge against Vang stemmed from his disciplinary tactics or lack of care. His bond was set at $20,000.
Court Commissioner Patricia Koppa saying, “This case has drawn attention because we have a missing child involved. And that of course pulls at the court’s feelings and emotions and heartstrings for the care of the child but it doesn’t change the nature of the charges from any other neglect case.”
They are due back in court Monday.
Meanwhile, law enforcement have the entrance to a Calumet County landfill blocked off as the search for Vue continued into day 4.
There is a police presence at Hickory Meadows landfill on Schneider Road in Hilbert.
Two Rivers police said in a statement Thursday that the public may see search efforts in areas such as local rivers and landfills as they continue to look for Elijah Vue. The department is also working with other agencies in the case, including the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations, the FBI, A Child is Missing and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. All municipal and county agencies have been brought in for assistance, as well as drones and K9s from neighboring departments and the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
We will leave no stone unturned. You will continue to see similar large-scale searches as we receive tips and continue our search for Elijah.
Vue was last seen by his adult caregiver at 8 a.m. Tuesday at his home in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road. He was reported missing to the Two Rivers Police Department and an Amber Alert was activated Tuesday afternoon.
Police say the entire public — even residents outside Two Rivers — can aid in the search for Vue by:
- Check your property anywhere a small child could hide, climb, or fall
- Check your property for any items that don’t belong to you which could include anything from Vue; for example, the red, white and black plaid blanket or dinosaur-printed shoes
- Check your surveillance systems from Feb. 12 through Feb. 20th, looking for anyone matching Vue’s description
- Search public land for the aforementioned items
If you find something you think may be related to the investigation, you are asked not to touch it, but immediately contact the state tip line at 1-844-267-6648 or Two Rivers Police at 1-920-686-7200.
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