The grandmother of missing Wisconsin toddler Elijah Vuw is pleading with the police and the public to not give up on finding him.
Lia Vang and other relatives made a tearful appeal for help earlier this week following the arrest of 3-year-old Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Elijah was last seen on February 20 at an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road. Police said no family members or other “associates” were in the area at the time, but Vang, was arrested after his disappearance, along with the child’s mother, Katrina Baur.
A criminal complaint says that Vang reported the child missing, claiming that he brought Elijah into a bedroom with him at around 8 a.m., and ordered him to stand next to the bed and pray. Vang claimed he fell asleep and when woke up three hours later, the child was gone.
“I want my grandson to be home with my family,” Vang said at a news conference earlier this week, NBC 26 reported. “So, I want everybody to continue. Don’t stop searching for my baby, Elijah.”
Vang said he had been in a relationship with Baur and said Elijah had been staying with him because he “had behaviors,” the criminal complaint stated.
Baur, who lived around 100 miles away, previously told investigators she’d left the child with Vang “for disciplinary reasons” and to teach the 3-year-old how to “be a man.” She reportedly dropped the child off with Vang on February 12 and had plans to pick him up on February 23.
Vang is now facing a child neglect charge and Baur is charged with being a party to the crime. Vang’s bail has been set at $20,000 cash, while Baur’s bail has been set at $15,000 cash.
Police have requested assistance from local, state, and federal sources using dogs, drones, and personnel. They are also asking residents and business owners to continue to check surveillance cameras for any images or videos of Elijah.
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Elijah is described as being of Hmong and white ethnicity with dark blond hair and brown eyes. He stands 3 feet tall, weighs between 35 and 40 pounds, and has a birthmark on his left knee.
He was last seen wearing gray pants, a long-sleeved, dark shirt, and red and green dinosaur slip-on shoes. He may have been carrying a red and white plaid blanket.
“Everyone has seen that kid’s photo. It’s pulling at everyone’s heartstrings. Somebody knows something,” Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Dan Hartwig said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the state tip line at 844-267-6648, Two Rivers police at 920-686-7200, or the P3 app for anonymous tips.
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[Feature Photo via Wisconsin State Police]
