TWO RIVERS, Wis. — About a month after 3-year-old Elijah Vue's remains were recovered from a private property in Wisconsin, state authorities announced Thursday that charges have been filed against the boy's mother and her partner.
Wisconsin law enforcement said Katrina Baur and her partner, Jesse Vang, are facing criminal charges in connection with 3-year-old Elijah Vue's death, including child abuse and obstruction.
According to court documents, Baur also faces one count each of chronic neglect of a child with the consequence of death and child neglect, while Vang's additional charges include physical abuse of a child causing death, and hiding a corpse. The pair had been charged previously with child neglect but had not been formally accused in connection with the boy's death.
Vue went missing in February and it wasn't until September that his body was recovered and identified. At the time of the discovery, police told the press a local deer hunter came upon Vue's remains on Sept. 13 in an area they said had already been searched several times after Vue's disappearance.
Law enforcement revealed the property was located just three miles from where Vue was reported missing on Feb. 20.
A criminal complaint filed in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin shows Vang told investigators he'd fallen asleep while babysitting Vue, and the child was missing when he woke up.
The complaint said Vang initially claimed Vue was his nephew, but later admitted to police that Vue was the son of his partner, later identified as Baur. During subsequent questioning, Vang told officers Vue had been going back and forth between his and Baur's homes, claiming Baur wanted Vang to help her with Vue's alleged "bad behaviors."
According to the complaint, Baur later confirmed to police she asked Vang to look after her son occasionally, allegedly hoping Vang would serve as a "male role model" after seeing the boy "wearing his sister's dresses" and walking around on his "tippy toes." She also claimed she'd witnessed Vue being "aggressive" toward his sister and alleged Vue would sometimes "steal" things from stores.
Authorities said Vang told them Vue exhibited better behavior while staying at his home, allegedly telling police Vue was "afraid" of him before correcting himself and stating instead that Vue "respects" him.
The complaint goes on to detail a trail of alleged abuse, with Vang admitting he’d make Vue stand for hours and pray as a form of punishment. The complaint also includes a detailed review of phone and Facebook messages between Vang and Baur in the weeks before the boy’s disappearance, including multiple video clips of Vang's alleged discipline. In several clips, the complaint states Vue can be seen standing and repeatedly stating he was a “good boy.”
Following the discovery of Vue’s remains in September, the criminal complaint states doctors reviewing the body noted healed fractures and other signs of prior abuse.
On Oct. 16, the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner ruled Elijah Vue’s cause of death to be homicide.
"This is an incredibly tragic situation that has shaken our community," said District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre. "Elijah was a young boy whose life was tragically cut short and his death has impacted not only his loved ones but also the Two Rivers Police Department, the Sheriff's Office and our partners in the FBI, DOJ Division of Criminal Investigations, and other agencies who have worked tirelessly on this case."
LaBre said Baur and Vang will have their first court appearance on Friday afternoon.