The Two Rivers Police Department confirmed that the remains found earlier this month are of 3-year-old Elijah Vue, who has been missing since February.
Elijah’s mother and stepfather are now facing charges.
Police confirmed on Friday that the human remains found last week are those of Elijah Vue, a toddler missing in Wisconsin since February.
The Two Rivers Police Department said they couldn’t confirm until now that a skull and bones found at a private home on September 7 belonged to Elijah.
“This is not the outcome we had hoped for,” said Two Rivers Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert. “The family and our community are devastated.”
Chief Meinnert didn’t take any questions from reporters.
Here’s what we know so far.
Elijah Vue’s remains were found when a deer hunter was clearing land for hunting. The hunter found skeletal remains on his property in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and then called the authorities.
The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office couldn’t immediately confirm that the remains were Elijah’s, saying it would take a long time to identify them. The remains were found in a thick, wooded area a few miles northwest of where Elijah was last seen on February 20. Police had searched this area several times over the past seven months.
During their extensive search, Two Rivers police found several pieces of evidence, including a red-and-white plaid blanket and a vehicle. Despite many searches in different conditions and seasons, they planned to continue searching, with more searches scheduled for next week.
Meinnert asked everyone to give Elijah’s family privacy while they mourn.
He said, “I never met Elijah, but I saw how this amazing community came together for him. I’m really grateful to the public and local businesses for all their help and support during this tough time.”
Elijah Vue was reported missing on February 20 by his mother’s boyfriend, Jesse Vang. Vang, who is 39, said he last saw Elijah around 8 a.m. that day when he made Elijah stand next to his bed and pray as punishment. When Vang woke up almost three hours later, Elijah was gone.
Vang called 911 to report Elijah missing from their apartment around 11 a.m.
Elijah’s mom, Katrina Baur, was at her home in Wisconsin Dells, more than 100 miles away from Two Rivers.
Both Baur and Vang were arrested in February and face child neglect charges related to Elijah’s disappearance. Vang has a preliminary hearing on September 27, and Baur’s is on October 22.
Their lawyers haven’t responded to requests for comment.
In light of recent developments, Meinnert said that the search for Elijah has now turned into a “death investigation.”
He explained, “While we understand you want information, we can’t share every detail to keep the investigation thorough. We know the family and community have many questions. This will take time, but we’re committed to answering those questions as we progress.”
If you have any information about the case, you should contact the Two Rivers Police Department.
Meinnert said they will keep giving updates from the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Justice and the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation moves forward.