Elijah Vue’s mother faces new charges
Updated complaint adds more suspected neglect
MANITOWOC — Katrina B. Baur is facing additional charges in connection with the disappearance of her son, 3-year-old Elijah Vue.
Baur, 31, of Wisconsin Dells, is being held at Manitowoc County Jail and was charged with felony child neglect.
According to a criminal complaint, Baur's felony child neglect charge was changed to felony chronic neglect of a child, and a second felony child neglect charge was added that involves a 6-year-old child. Baur is also charged with two misdemeanor counts of obstructing an officer.
Jesse Vang, a 39year-old Two Rivers man who was taking care of Elijah when the child went missing, is also being held in the county jail and is suspected of felony child neglect.
Both Baur and Vang appeared in Manitowoc County Circuit Court Thursday via Zoom for their respective preliminary hearings, but those hearings were rescheduled to March 14.
Amended complaint details visits to Two Rivers
According to the amended complaint, Baur visited Vang in the early morning of Feb. 14, which was Valentine's Day, along with a 6-year-old child who is unnamed in the complaint.
The complaint states that texts leading up to Baur's visit indicated Vang told her she couldn't see Elijah when she got to his apartment. He told her he would put Elijah to sleep before she arrived.
Baur also told Vang the 6-year-old child could sleep in the car.
Later, when Baur arrived at the apartment, she texted Vang from the car asking if the car's headlights could turn off completely. She then said she'd leave the car off and then turn it on again later.
The complaint notes that the National Weather Service listed the temperature for Feb. 14 at a low of 27 degrees Fahrenheit and a high of 36 degrees.
The complaint also states that a photo was found on Baur's phone that was taken at approximately 3:13 a.m. Feb. 14 of Elijah lying down on a bed. The photo showed Elijah had a blindfold over his eyes and appeared to have bruising on his jawline, neck and upper arm on the left side. That photo was deleted an hour later.
The complaint also gave details from Baur's phone data when she visited Manitowoc and Two Rivers Feb. 16-17.
According to the complaint, there was a period of time when Vang was at Saucy's Sports Bar in Manitowoc by himself and Baur was at Kwik Trip by herself. Elijah was in Two Rivers during this time and was supposed to be under the care of Baur and Vang.
“Law enforcement has been unable to locate anyone other than Jesse Vang
or Katrina Baur who cared for the child on February 16 and 17, 2024,” the complaint states.
Elijah was reported missing from the Two Rivers apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road at 10:59 a.m. Feb. 20. Law enforcement has still not been able to locate the boy.
On Feb. 18, the complaint listed another series of texts between Vang and Baur. Vang told Baur to trust him regarding Elijah’s visit with him and that he’d make sure “he hates me and being here.”
She responded that she only wanted Elijah to fear him, not hate him, the complaint said.
Vang messaged: “he did fear me ... but he didn’t respect me ... now I’m making him respect me.”
Katrina Baur’s bail remains at $15,000 cash bond
Baur’s motion to modify bail was addressed during the Thursday court appearance.
The motion to modify bail for Baur asked to change the cash bail to a personal recognizance bond, which would not require Baur to pay any money, “on the grounds that Ms. Baur is unable to post the cash bail as set.”
Baur’s attorney, Ann Larson, said Baur’s lifelong residency in Wisconsin and having no serious criminal record should be considered.
“There’s a lot of high emotion going on with this case, but there’s also high emotion going on with Ms. Baur,” Larson said. “She’s been worried sick not knowing where her son is.”
District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre pointed out that Baur does have a history of missing court dates and said that she does have contact with people out of state who might help her flee.
LaBre also said she is amending Baur’s felony child neglect charge to felony chronic neglect of a child and adding another charge of child neglect.
Judge Robert Dewane decided the bail would remain at $15,000 cash.
What happened to Elijah Vue?
Search efforts for 3-year-old Elijah by local, state and federal law enforcement officers have included canvassing of urban and rural neighborhoods; searches of rivers, shores and a landfill in Calumet County; and K-9 teams “checking and rechecking various areas.”
The FBI has offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to locating Elijah or convicting those responsible for his disappearance, and Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers has offered a $10,000 reward.
Two Rivers Police Chief Ben Meinnert said they have received hundreds of tips and leads and that officers continue to follow up on all of those.
Volunteer groups made up of residents also continue to aid in searching for the child by volunteering daily to canvass neighborhoods and other public areas.