TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A community watches and waits for answers as the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s office works to investigate the discovery of human skeletal remains and identify who they belong to.
Many are speculating the remains are those of 3-year-old Elijah Vue, who disappeared in Two Rivers back in February. Vue has been the subject of numerous searches in the community over the past six and half months, by law enforcement and volunteers alike, hoping for his safe return.
Just after noon Monday, law enforcement officials cleared a scene where human remains were found over the weekend.
In a news release sent out Sunday night, the Sheriff’s Office said it is unable to confirm if the remains are related to the Vue case. They asked for patience as the investigation continues.
A large law enforcement presence was in the quarry adjacent to Girl Scout Camp Manitou on Monday, the area authorities say human skeletal remains were found Saturday.
It’s a secluded area — only a few privately owned roads lead to the area where the remains were found, which is also private property.
The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office says a deer hunter, walking on the private property, found the remains and immediately notified law enforcement.
The area is located just northwest of Two Rivers. It’s less than five miles from 3918 Mishicot Road — the apartment complex where Vue was reported missing.
As of now, the Sheriff’s Office says it cannot provide specifics regarding the race, sex or age of the remains. It is working with the county coroner, state crime lab and the Two Rivers Police Department — who is still investigating Elijah Vue’s disappearance — are all involved.
By Monday afternoon, the county’s mobile command post, along with the deputies guarding roads leading into the search area, left without speaking to the media.
Kathy Hasselman’s sister lives across the street from where the remains were found.
“It’s unsettling that someone could be driving by, when she was here, and depositing a little kid. It’s really unfathomable, I guess. I don’t really know how to feel about that,” said Hasselman.
While Hasselman doesn’t know if the remains found belong to Elijah Vue, she does know Katrina Baur — Vue’s mother — lived in the home now owned by her sister.
“Just logic that he would be close, being she lived here, she loved it here. It would be logical to me,” Hasselman added.
Authorities say making an identity on the remains will be a lengthy process.
Vue was reported missing Feb. 20 by his caregiver, Jesse Vang. Prosecutors say Baur sent her son to live with Vang — her boyfriend — at his Two Rivers apartment for “disciplinary reasons.”
An Amber Alert was subsequently issued.
Baur and Vang face child neglect charges related to the condition of the home and treatment of the boy. No one has been charged in connection with the child’s disappearance.
Last month, a judge denied Baur’s request to lower her bond. Baur recently obtained a new attorney who asked for time to review the case, so an Oct. 22 status conference is set.
Meanwhile, Vang returns to court Sept. 27 for a status conference; no trial date has been set.
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