$40K in rewards offered for info on missing Wisconsin 3-year-old sent to learn to ‘be a man’
TWO RIVERS, Wis. (WFRV) — Rewards totaling $40,000 are being offered as the search for a missing 3-year-old Wisconsin boy enters its fourth week.
Elijah Vue was reported missing on Feb. 20. He was allegedly last seen by Jesse Vang, 39, inside Vang’s residence in Two Rivers, about 40 miles southeast of Green Bay.
Vang is reportedly in a relationship with Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur.
On the day Elijah went missing, Vang said he got his own son ready for school and saw Elijah still sleeping. Vang and Elijah then ate breakfast before Vang went back to bed. When he woke up, Vang claims Elijah was missing. Vang reportedly told authorities he had locked the door at the doorknob, with a deadbolt, and with a security chain.
Search for Elijah Vue: More details released as mother, her boyfriend make court appearance
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Nexstar’s WFRV last month, Vang had been trying to help Elijah’s mother correct Elijah’s “bad behaviors.”
Baur, 31, of Wisconsin Dells, reportedly told authorities that Elijah had been in the care of Vang for about a week. She allegedly described Vang as the “enforcer of rules” in the relationship, and said she sent Elijah to stay with him to learn how to “be a man.”
A criminal complaint also alleged neglect by both Baur and Vang, citing photographic evidence that appeared to show bruising on Elijah’s jaw, neck, side and arm. Authorities also found text messages between Vang and Baur that appear to reference making Elijah “fear” Vang.
Baur was formally charged with one felony count of party-to-a-crime of child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. She was being held on a $15,000 cash bond. Vang was charged with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect. He was being held on a $20,000 cash bond.
The search for Elijah is now entering its fourth week. Authorities searched throughout the lakeside community of Two Rivers, including waterways and a local landfill. Last week, Two Rivers police released information regarding a vehicle of interest in the case.
Search efforts continued throughout the weekend and into Monday as the police followed up on potential leads and tips from the community. Two Rivers Police say they’ve received a large amount of surveillance video, which they’re continuing to review.
Monday afternoon, Two Rivers Police Captain Andrew Raatz confirmed that the AMBER Alert for Elijah remains active, and the missing 3-year-old has not been located.
Raatz explained that the Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the discovery of Elijah, or the arrest and charging of anyone responsible for his disappearance. The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward for similar information.
The City of Two Rivers is offering $15,000 — raised through donations from the public — to find Elijah.
Raatz said search efforts for Elijah will continue this week, and anyone with information is asked to contact the agency’s tip line at 844-267-6648.
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