The Disappearance of Elijah Vue: A Continuing Mystery
The disappearance of Elijah Vue, a 3-year-old boy from Wisconsin, has been a source of great concern and mystery for four months. Despite an extensive search effort, Elijah remains missing, and the investigation is ongoing. Recently, rumors have surfaced on social media claiming that Elijah has been found, but these claims have been denied by the police.
In a statement on Facebook, Police Chief Ben Meinnert emphasized that these rumors are false and misleading. He expressed his disappointment and frustration with the spreading of false information, stating that it is disrespectful to Elijah’s family and detracts from the efforts of the investigators. The police chief urged the public to rely on official sources of information and not to spread false rumors.
Elijah was last seen on the morning of February 20 at the home of his mother’s partner, Jesse Vang, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. A search was launched that morning after Vang called Two Rivers police to report the boy missing. A few hours later, Vang was arrested and charged with child neglect. He has a history of criminal offenses, including child abuse, and is being held on a $20,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for June 28.
Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, 31, was arrested a day after her son’s disappearance and charged with party-to-a-crime child neglect. She reportedly changed her story on her whereabouts at least twice during her interview with investigators. On March 7, the district attorney announced updated charges, replacing the original child neglect charge with chronic child neglect. Both Vang and Baur have pleaded not guilty.
The investigation has revealed disturbing allegations of abuse and neglect. According to the criminal complaint, Vang allegedly used “tactics” such as time-outs, where Elijah had to stand up for one to three hours, or was forced to take cold showers. He allegedly gave Elijah a cold shower on February 17, after the boy had filled his diaper. The complaint also shows that a few days earlier, Baur had visited the Two Rivers apartment and took a photo of Elijah with a blindfold over his eyes and bruising on his face as he lay on a bed.
Another photo, taken on February 15, showed the boy standing in a corner in his apparently full diaper and nothing else, with his hands in a praying position. These disturbing images have raised concerns about the treatment of Elijah and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
For nearly four months, police officers and volunteers have been conducting door-to-door searches, searching local rivers, and using drones and dogs as part of the search for Elijah. In March, officers found the little boy’s red-and-white plaid blanket on Goodwin Road, east of County Road B in Manitowoc County. This discovery sparked new leads and renewed efforts to find Elijah.
The search for Elijah continues, with police launching new searches and expanding their efforts. In a recent statement, the police chief announced that more drone assistance and K9 searches have been launched, and they plan to expand water searches with sonar. The FBI is also following up on recent leads in the Wisconsin Dells and Portage areas. Investigators are analyzing an extremely large amount of video and other data, including extensive and ongoing drone search footage, with assistance from federal and state agencies.
The police chief emphasized that the public should rely on official sources of information and not spread false rumors. He urged anyone with information on the case to contact the police or submit information through the local Crime Stoppers app P3. The police department will continue to provide updates and information as it becomes available.
The disappearance of Elijah Vue is a tragic and disturbing case that has captured the attention of the nation. The search for Elijah continues, and the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any information that may lead to his safe return. As the investigation unfolds, it is essential to prioritize the truth and accuracy of the information shared, avoiding the spread of false rumors and misinformation.
Anyone with information on the case can contact the police or submit information through the local Crime Stoppers app P3. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any information that may lead to the safe return of Elijah Vue.