The search continues for missing Wisconsin tot Elijah Vue, but volunteers say more help is needed as efforts to locate the boy nears its fourth week.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Elijah was last seen on February 20 at an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers, in the care of his mother’s boyfriend, Jesse Vang.
Vang was subsequently arrested on child neglect charges. Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, was also arrested and charged with being a party to child neglect.
Vang said Baur allowed Elijah to stay with him for several weeks, starting on February 12, for reported behavioral issues.
A criminal complaint stated 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 he woke up three hours later, the child was gone.
Since his disappearance, massive searches have been conducted by law enforcement and volunteers alike, but volunteers say there are areas still unsearched, and more people are needed to assist.
“We still need volunteers. We still need areas searched. We still need help. No matter, if you can’t search on the ground, you can help online. We need everybody. We need bodies everywhere searching for Elijah, to get Elijah home, to find evidence, or anything, to just bring him home,” search volunteer Jordan Dillon said, according to ABC 9.
Meanwhile, the community gathered Saturday evening in Two Rivers for a vigil, attended by search volunteers, family members, and local leaders, to show they won’t give up on finding Elijah.
”I know we won’t stop,” Adam Wachowski, the city council president for Two Rivers, said, WI Proud reports. “And we can’t stop until Elijah is brought home.”
Dillon added during the vigil that she’s afraid of people becoming discouraged and hopes that the vigil encourages others to help.
“That’s what tonight’s about,” Dillon said. “Getting that hope back up. He’s still out there and we can’t give up.”
The Two Rivers Department (TRPD) announced earlier this week that the reward fund for information that leads to Elijah has reached $40,000, following additional funds raised by the department. This also includes $15,000 from the city, $15,000 from the FBI, and $10,000 from Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers.
Elijah is described as Hmong and white, 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.
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: Elijah Vue/Twin Rivers PD]
