TWO RIVERS, Wis. — A hunter in northeastern Wisconsin discovered the skeletal remains of a 3-year-old boy who vanished in February, police confirmed Friday.
Elijah Vue was last seen at the home of his mother’s boyfriend in Two Rivers, a city of 11,270 people about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Green Bay, police said during an afternoon news conference.
A hunter preparing his property in the town of Two Rivers, a rural municipality that encircles the city, for deer season discovered the skeletal remains on Sept. 7, Two Rivers Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert said. A forensic anthropologist at the state crime lab identified them as Elijah.
“This is not the outcome that we hoped for,” Meinnert said. “The family is devastated. We are devastated. The community is devasted.”
Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, 31, of Wisconsin Dells, was charged in February with one felony count of being a party to child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. She has pleaded not guilty. Her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, 39, of Two Rivers, was charged the same day with one felony count of being a party to child neglect. He also pleaded not guilty.
According to a criminal complaint, Bauer had left her son with Vang on Feb. 12 because she wanted Vang to teach him “to be a man.” Vang called police Feb. 20 and reported the boy missing, telling police he had taken a nap and brought the boy in the bedroom with him. When he woke up three hours later he was gone.
The boy’s remains were found about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from where he was last seen, Meinnert said.
The chief said the investigation into what happened to Elijah will continue.
Baur’s attorney, Amber Gratz, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The phone at the office of Vang’s attorney, Timothy Hogan, was malfunctioning Friday afternoon and no one immediately responded to an email left in the office’s general inbox.
The remains of a missing 3-year-old boy from Wisconsin have been found by a hunter in a wooded area, bringing a tragic end to the search for the young child. The boy, who had been missing for several weeks, was last seen playing in his backyard before disappearing without a trace.
The discovery of the boy’s remains has left the community in shock and mourning, as they had held out hope for his safe return. The boy’s family has been devastated by the news, and are now left to grapple with the loss of their beloved child.
Authorities are now working to determine the circumstances surrounding the boy’s disappearance and death. They are conducting a thorough investigation to piece together what happened to the young child and bring closure to his family.
The tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping a close eye on young children, especially in rural areas where they can easily wander off and get lost. It also highlights the crucial role that hunters and other members of the community play in helping to locate missing individuals.
As the community mourns the loss of the young boy, they are coming together to support his family and honor his memory. Vigils and memorials are being held to remember the boy and offer comfort to those who knew and loved him.
The discovery of the boy’s remains is a heartbreaking conclusion to a search that captured the attention of the entire community. While the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death are still unclear, one thing is certain – he will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
