Executive Summary
- Anniversary Marked: The community observed the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of 3-year-old Elijah Vue in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
- Criminal Charges: Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang face homicide-related charges, including chronic neglect and physical abuse causing death.
- Forensic Evidence: Court filings cite recovered text messages, a suitcase containing the child’s DNA, and photos indicating prior physical abuse.
- Discovery of Remains: The child’s remains were located in September 2024 on private property near a Girl Scout camp after a seven-month search.
TWO RIVERS, Wis. — Friday marked the two-year anniversary of the issuance of a statewide Amber Alert for three-year-old Elijah Vue, a case that mobilized a massive search effort across Wisconsin and ultimately resulted in the discovery of the child’s remains and homicide-related charges against his mother and her boyfriend. The commemoration comes as prosecutors move forward with the criminal cases against Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang, who are accused of neglect and abuse leading to the toddler’s death.
According to the criminal complaint, Baur sent her son to live with Vang in Two Rivers for what was described as “disciplinary reasons,” allegedly so Vang could teach the child “how to be a man.” Vang reported Vue missing on February 20, 2024, claiming the boy had wandered off while Vang was asleep. A massive search operation involving law enforcement and thousands of community volunteers ensued for nearly seven months. The search concluded on September 7, 2024, when a landowner preparing for hunting season discovered human remains on private property near Camp Manitou. Authorities positively identified the remains as those of Elijah Vue.
Court documents outline a pattern of alleged abuse preceding the child’s death. Investigators recovered deleted text messages between the defendants in which Vang stated he was ensuring the child “feared” and “respected” him. Forensic analysis of Baur’s phone revealed a photo of the toddler blindfolded on a bed with visible bruising on his jaw, neck, and arm. Medical examiners identified healed fractures on the child’s skull and face. Additionally, security footage captured Vang disposing of an empty suitcase at a St. Vincent de Paul store the day before the missing persons report; investigators later found the child’s DNA inside the luggage.
Both defendants face severe charges in Manitou County court. Jesse Vang is charged with physical abuse of a child causing death, hiding a corpse, obstructing an officer, and chronic neglect. Katrina Baur is charged with chronic neglect of a child resulting in death, neglecting a child, and obstructing an officer. Both are scheduled for court appearances on May 18. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Judicial Status & Investigative Outlook
The transition of the Elijah Vue case from a high-profile missing persons investigation to a homicide prosecution highlights the critical role of digital forensics and community vigilance in resolving complex cases involving minors. As the proceedings move toward the motion hearings in May, the legal focus will likely center on the admissibility of the recovered digital communications and the forensic pathology reports linking the physical trauma to the specific actions of the defendants. The ongoing community memorials underscore the profound public impact of the case, maintaining pressure on the judicial system to deliver a resolution regarding the circumstances of the toddler’s death.
