Elijah Vue: Two Rivers vigil held for missing 3-year-old boy
TWO RIVERS, Wis. - A vigil was held for Elijah Vue, the 3-year-old Two Rivers boy missing since February, on Saturday.
It has been an all-hands-on-deck effort to find Vue. Through more than three weeks of heartache, faith that he'll be found remains strong in Two Rivers.
"We can't stop until Elijah is brought home," said Two Rivers Council President Adam Wachowski.
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The Two Rivers Police Department said it followed up on numerous tips and leads this week. Searches for Vue were completed in wetlands, rural areas, the West Twin River and a farm waste container.
"It's hard for everybody right now, especially the family," said Jordan Brooks, who has led search efforts for the boy. "The family’s hope, our hope as searchers and leaders, slowly the light’s kind of dimming."
Surrounded by prayers and candles, Elijah's aunt, Linda Vue, said Saturday's gathering at Walsh Field was about sparking the faith and fight to bring back hope.
Those leading community searches said they need more help.
"We need everybody, we need bodies everywhere searching for Elijah," said Dillon.
Have you seen him?
Authorities said Vue's caregiver last saw him at 8 a.m. at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 20 – near 39th and Mishicot in Two Rivers. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a long-sleeved, dark-colored shirt, and red-and-green dinosaur slip-on shoes.
Vue, who is of Hmong descent, is described as 3 feet tall and 45 pounds with sandy hair and brown eyes. Officials said he has a birthmark on his left knee.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 844-267-6648 or 920-686-7200. You can also submit a tip through the FBI website, or to Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers through the P3 app.
Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang in Manitowoc County Court (virtually) on Monday, Feb. 26.
Latest from court
Vue's mother, 31-year-old Katrina Baur, was bound over for trial on Thursday. She is charged with chronic neglect of a child, neglecting a child and two misdemeanor counts of resisting/obstructing an officer.
A preliminary hearing for 39-year-old Jesse Vang, also charged with neglecting a child, was postponed on Thursday. Prosecutors said Baur would send Vue to Vang for disciplinary purposes because she wanted him to teach her son "to be a man."
Rewards offered
Rewards in the search for Vue have risen to a combined $40,000.
The Two Rivers Police Department on Monday, March 11 announced the city has raised $15,000 in reward money through community donations. Donations to that reward fund are still being accepted.
The donation-driven reward is in addition to two other rewards already announced for information in the case. There is an FBI reward of up to $15,000, and a Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers reward of up to $10,000.