The eight-month-long search for a missing Wisconsin boy finally came to a devastating end. Two Rivers police confirmed Friday that human remains found by a hunter on private property belong to Elijah Vue, who would’ve celebrated his 4th birthday last month. The wooded area where the remains were found is about three miles away from the home of Jesse Vang, Vue's mother Katrina Baur's boyfriend.
Vang last saw Vue at his home around 8 a.m. on February 20. Vang reported the child missing after waking up from a nap to find him gone. Baur allegedly sent the child to stay with Vang a week before his disappearance for a "boot camp" intended to teach the child "how to be a man."
An AMBER Alert for Vue went into effect in February and was officially canceled on Friday. Both Vang and Baur remain behind bars for child neglect charges but have yet to be charged for Vue's disappearance and death. Baur's charges also include the mistreatment of both Vue and his six-year-old sister. No one has been charged in Vue's disappearance.
During a Friday press conference informing the public about Vue's remains, Two Rivers Police Chief Ben Meinnert became emotional when discussing the young boy's impact on the community. "This is not the outcome we had hoped for, the family is devastated, we're devastated, our community is devastated," Meinnert said. "I never met Elijah but I watched that 3-year-old bring out the best in this community. I can’t thank the public and our businesses enough."
John Bischoff, Vice President of the Missing Children Division at NCMEC told Newsweek in a statement, "The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is heartbroken to learn of the discovery of 3-year-old Elijah Vue's remains. After more than 200 days of searching, NCMEC is devastated by this outcome, as we, along with many others held onto hope that he would be found safe."
"Elijah's story captured the attention of the nation, and we are deeply saddened by this immense loss," Bischoff continued. "Our hearts are with the Two Rivers community and everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy. We stand with the Two Rivers Police Department as they continue to investigate Elijah's case and trust that justice will be served for Elijah."
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