Police in Wisconsin have arrested the mother of a 3-year-old child missing since February 20. Elijah Vue was last seen around 8 a.m. that morning. The Twin Rivers Police Department enacted an Amber Alert for Elijah, which is still in effect. His mother, Katrina Baur, 31, was reportedly taken into custody on Wednesday, but authorities are releasing few details.
Elijah's extended family has been active on social media and in the media, imploring anyone with information about the toddler's whereabouts to please come forward. With the announcement of his mother's arrest, the outlook appears grim.
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An adult caretaker reportedly called police Tuesday morning.
The call reporting the toddler missing occurred just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to a release from the Two Rivers Police Department. He was reportedly last seen at a residence in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and shoes with dinosaurs on them. Little information was given about what prompted the call or who the caller was, but police asked area residents to be on the lookout for the little boy.
"The Two Rivers Police Department is asking all residents to search any outbuildings, vehicles or any other concealed areas they may have on their property in an attempt to locate Elijah. Additionally, if residents have surveillance cameras or Ring doorbells, we are asking the public to please check them for images of Elijah," the release reads.
The community sprang into action.
Jessica Shields, a Two Rivers resident and mom, told WBAY she began searching for Elijah as soon as she heard the news.
"I don't know Elijah from a can of paint, him or his family, but by being a mother it just doesn't sit right with me being at home, just doing nothing. We have been in the woods, we have been in the neighborhoods looking, in sheds, I crawled under homes, we've been everywhere, but it don't stop, it don't stop," she said.
Concerned residents searched for Elijah on foot and have created social media groups dedicated to finding the little boy. His uncle, Orson Vue, told WBAY he was very concerned about his nephew's well-being.
"We haven't found out anything new. It's the same thing as last night. I think from what the detective told us this morning, they're basically doing searches all over again," he told the news outlet. "At this point, more family members are here and we are just trying to support each other asking the community if they have any information."
The boy's mother and her boyfriend are reportedly in police custody.
Baur and her boyfriend, 39-year-old Jesse Vang, reportedly appeared on the Manitowoc County Jail's inmate list as of Wednesday morning, according to WHBY.
Two Rivers Police Chief Ben Meinnert addressed the media in a news briefing streamed on Facebook Wednesday, but he refused to comment on the mother and her boyfriend and whether they are suspects in the case.
The child's mother posted about sobriety recently on social media.
Bauer used her Facebook page to reflect upon her sobriety and her children's positive impact on her life. She also posted about her daughter, Elena.
"When Elijah smiles, it warms my heart. I often wonder how something so filled with light and love could come from something so dark, filled with rage and hatred. He is my reminder that even through the darkest of times – we can protect our light and make something new of ourselves," she wrote in September 2023. "Even when people expect you to continue down a path of darkness and self destruction- it's ok to step into the light and turn your life around. It is not their faith in you that will keep you going – it's the faith you have in yourself."
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The search for Elijah continues.
Police updated Facebook Thursday evening, asking that residents refrain from spreading rumors and continue to focus on Elijah's return.
"We understand there are a lot of emotions involving the ongoing search for Elijah. Elijah has not been located and is still missing. We are working closely with state and federal agencies and we are only releasing information that we are able to without jeopardizing this ongoing and multifaceted investigation. Some might be frustrated, however everything we do is well thought out and planned in a combined effort with our main priority in locating Elijah," the post reads.
Police confirmed Baur and Vang were arrested on charges of child neglect and have a bail hearing scheduled for Friday. They would not give any more details.
The department it is imperative that law enforcement be called with any information. "Please do not touch anything you find, but instead contact the tip line at 1-844-267-6648 or Two Rivers Police Dispatch at 1-920-686-7200 immediately," the post reads.
