Elijah Vue, 3, was reported missing from Two Rivers Feb. 20, 2024. (Photo source: Two Rivers Police Dept.)
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The mother of missing three-year-old Elijah Vue from Two Rivers is facing additional child neglect charges relating to her six-year-old daughter.
Katrina Baur made her initial appearance in Manitowoc County court Thursday where judge Robert Dewane denied her request for bond reduction.
Prosecutors filed an additional neglecting a child charge and a chronic neglect of a child charge against Baur.
Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre explained, “There is also evidence that on Feb. 14 she left the six-year-old unattended in a vehicle for approximately an hour in cold weather.”
The complaint claims Baur’s phone showed her at Jesse Vang’s apartment just before 3:15 a.m. on Feb. 14. According to the complaint, phone data shows Baur messaged Vang saying her daugher can sleep in the car. Baur’s phone doesn’t leave Two Rivers until roughly 4:30 that same morning.
Records from the National Weather Service shows the temperature on the 14th was a low of 27 degrees and a high of 36.
In addition, prosecutors say they have evidence that on Feb. 16, Baur left Vue unattended for at least an hour as her and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, traveled to other locations throughout Manitowoc, not seen with the child.
During her appearance, Baur’s attorney said, “Obviously this is a very high-profile case, there’s a lot of high emotion going on, but there’s also a lot of high emotion going on with Ms. Baur, she’s been worried sick not knowing where her son is.”
Baur’s mother, Jodi, wrote a letter to the court, asking the judge not to reduce her daughter’s bond.
In the letter, Baur’s mother cited her daughter’s pattern of erratic behavior, poor judgement and not taking responsibility for her actions.
“Her story always depends on her audience. At this time, rather than aligning in locating her son, she feels the need to reiterate what a good guy Jesse is and is fully defending him and his actions. By aligning with him, she could potentially have access to his extended family and ability to flee the area,” the letter read in part.
The letter also alleged Baur allows Vang to claim her children as dependents on his taxes, with Vang giving her half of refund received. She also receives food stamps for a child not in her care, the letter alleges.
Meanwhile, Vang’s hearing was postponed as he did not have an attorney. Vang will be back in court next week, and his current cash bond of $20,000 will be reviewed then.
New information from the criminal complaint says on Feb. 17, Baur and Vang were both in the city of Manitowoc, according to cell phone data. Vang was seen alone in a bar. Surveillance footage of Baur showed her in a Kwik Trip without Elijah.
The complaint says law enforcement has not been able to locate anyone other than Baur or Vang who cared for the child. Baur’s six-year-old daughter was in the care of someone else in Wisconsin Dells the day before.
It’s been more than two weeks since Elijah Vue went missing, while under the care of Vang.
Police and the community have been searching Manitowoc County and surrounding areas for the boy. Law enforcement is also gathering surveillance footage of a beige Nissan Altima they believe is connected to Vue’s disappearance.
The FBI and Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers are offering a combined $25,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of Vue or the arrest and charging of the individual(s) responsible for his disappearance.
Vue was last seen by Vang at 8 a.m. on Feb. 20 in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road. On Feb. 12, Baur sent Vue to stay with Vang for “disciplinary reasons.”
According to the criminal complaint, Vang said he was babysitting Vue at his Two Rivers home, but fell asleep. When he woke up around 11 a.m. on Feb. 20, he called police. An Amber Alert was subsequently issued.
Baur, who lives in Wisconsin Dells, told police she wasn’t in the Manitowoc area on Feb. 16-17, but cell phone records contradicted that, leading to an obstruction charge.
Vue is described as having dark blonde hair and brown eyes. He is about three feet tall, weighs about 45 pounds and has a birth mark on his left knee. If you find something you think may be related to the investigation, you are asked to immediately contact the state tip line at 1-844-267-6648 or TRPD at 1-920-686-7200.
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