A mother and her boyfriend are now facing additional charges following the discovery of skeletal remains believed to be those of her missing three-year-old son, Elijah Vue. The remains were found by a hunter on private property in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, marking a significant development in the case.
Elijah Vue was first reported missing on February 20 by Jesse Vang, the boyfriend of Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur. Vang claimed he woke up from a nap to find that the toddler had disappeared. Despite extensive search efforts, authorities were unable to locate Elijah at the time.
However, on September 7, a breakthrough was announced by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office. A deer hunter discovered human skeletal remains on private property in Two Rivers and promptly alerted the authorities. According to the police, the remains were later confirmed by a forensic anthropologist to belong to Elijah Vue, reports CBS.
Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang had previously faced charges of child neglect. Now, according to CBS, both are facing more severe charges. Baur has been charged with chronic neglect of a child and obstructing an officer, while Vang faces charges of physical abuse of a child, repeated acts toward causing death, hiding a corpse, and obstructing an officer.
“This is an incredibly tragic situation that has shaken our community,” said Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre during a press conference. “My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Elijah’s family, who are enduring unimaginable pain.”
Elijah was last seen at the residence of his mother’s boyfriend in Two Rivers, a small city located about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay. The hunter who discovered the remains had been preparing for deer season when he made the grim discovery in the rural area surrounding the city, according to Two Rivers Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert.
In a parallel discovery in New York, a woman named Huntly Cooper was actively searching for bones after learning that remains had been found in the same area near Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Cooper found more bones near the carousel, a famous landmark in Brooklyn. This separate incident involved bone fragments discovered along the shoreline of Dock Street, with police and authorities investigating the situation further.
Elijah’s case, however, remains a priority for Wisconsin authorities, as they work to piece together the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. The discovery of his remains by the hunter has provided key evidence in the case, though the investigation continues to uncover more details. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, as the community mourns the loss of the young boy.