Reward Grows For Missing Wisconsin Toddler As Mother Faces Trial

On Tuesday, February 20, an Amber Alert was issued for a missing Wisconsin boy, and authorities, along with help from the public, are still searching for 3-year-old Elijah Vue.

The Two Rivers Police Department first reached out to the public just past noon on February 20. They shared that Elijah was last seen in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers at 8:00 a.m.

Elijah, who is described as having Hmong and white ethnicity, has dark blonde hair, brown eyes, and a birthmark on his left knee. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a long-sleeved dark shirt, and red and green dinosaur shoes.

Authorities also shared several pictures of Elijah, noting that he could have with him a red and white plaid blanket, as seen in one of the photos below.

There has also been troubling information released regarding his disappearance. According to a report from KARE 11, Elijah's mother, Katrina Bauer, had sent him to stay with a man named Jesse Vang on February 12. She planned on picking him up on February 23.

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The reason she sent the boy to stay with Vang was so that he could teach her son “to be a man." Now, both Elijah's mother and Jesse Vang have been formally charged with child neglect in connection with the boy's disappearance.

Elijah Vue / Two Rivers Police Department

Katrina Baur, 31, of Wisconsin Dells was charged in Manitowoc County with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect and two additional misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. She was held on a $15,000 cash bond.

Jesse Vang, 39, of Two Rivers, was formally charged with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect. He was being held on a $20,000 cash bond.

UPDATE: MONDAY, MARCH 4

On Monday, March 4, the Two Rivers Police Department provided another update, while also providing additional information on their investigation.

They stated that their vast search efforts would continue and that they are expanding their rural search efforts with large-scale coordinated operations, with assistance from Law Enforcement across the state, similar to what was recently done.

They also provided new information in that a vehicle of interest has been identified and they like additional public assistance in locating Elijah.

During the investigation, the following vehicle of interest was identified:

1997 four-door Nissan Altima
Beige in color
Bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with “A” and ending with “0”.

Two Rivers Police Department

While authorities now have the identified vehicle in their possession, they requested homeowners and businesses to review their surveillance camera footage captured on February 19, 2024, between the hours of 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Also, due to the duration of the hours requested to be reviewed, they are asking the public beyond the greater Two Rivers area and adjacent counties to review their videos as well.

Anyone with any information regarding Elijah's disappearance is urged to utilize the state tip line at 844-267-6648 or the P3 app for anonymous tips.

UPDATE: MONDAY, MARCH 18

The Two Rivers Police Department recently posted on their Facebook page that Elijah has yet to be found despite continued search efforts. Multiple sources are reporting that the reward for the missing 3-year-old has now grown to $40,000.

Also, Katrina Baur and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, made brief court appearances on Thursday, March 14. Both are charged with child neglect involving their treatment of Elijah Vue.

Last week, prosecutors filed amended charges against Baur, changing a felony charge to chronic neglect of a child. A misdemeanor count of neglecting a child was also added, which involves another child, who is 6.

Vang appeared without an attorney. He requested his right to an attorney and a speedy trial. There is currently an attempt being made by the public defender’s office to find him an attorney before his next court appearance next week.

Authorities will continue their search efforts and they reiterate to the public that if anything is found and believed to be related to the disappearance or location of Elijah Vue, they should call the tip line at 844-267-6648. Information may also be submitted through Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers.