Current:Home > Contact'Devastated': Remains of 3-year-old Wisconsin boy missing since February have been found -ProfitPioneers Hub
'Devastated': Remains of 3-year-old Wisconsin boy missing since February have been found
NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 17:30:03
Human remains recovered last week are that of Elijah Vue, a toddler who has been missing in Wisconsin since February, police confirmed Friday.
Two Rivers Police Department was unable to confirm that a human skull and bones found at a private residence in the area on Sept. 7 belonged to Elijah until now, authorities said at a news conference.
"This is not the outcome we had hoped for," Two Rivers police Chief Benjamin Meinnert said. "The family is devastated. Our community is devastated."
Meinnert did not take questions from reporters.
Here's what we know.
When were Elijah Vue's remains found?
A deer hunter clearing land to prepare for the upcoming hunting season contacted authorities after he found skeletal remains on his property in Two Rivers, a city in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, according to reporting by the Herald Times Reporter, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office couldn't confirm that the remains found were Elijah's but noted that the identification of the remains would be a "lengthy process," according to a September news release.
The "thick and wooded" area where the remains were found was a couple miles northwest from the location where Elijah was reported missing on Feb. 20. According to Meinnert, the area had been canvassed and searched multiple times in the last seven months.
Two Rivers police were able to recover several pieces of evidence, including a red-and-white plaid blanket and a vehicle, over the course of the massive search, according to the Herald Times Reporter.
"Despite all those previous efforts and throughout different conditions and changing seasons, we continued searching and had additional searches scheduled as early as next week," Meinnert said.
Meinnert asked the public to give the Elijah's family privacy as they grieve the loss.
"I never met Elijah, but I watched that 3-year-old boy bring out the best of an amazing community," Meinnert said. "I can't thank the public and our businesses enough for all their assistance and support through this tragedy."
When was Elijah Vue reported missing?
The 3-year-old was reported missing by his mother's boyfriend, Jesse Vang, on Feb. 20.
Vang, 39, told police he had last seen Elijah around 8 a.m. that morning, when he ordered the child to stand next to his bed and pray as punishment. He was gone when Vang woke up nearly three hours later, Vang said.
Vang called 911 to report him missing from the apartment at around 11 a.m.
Katrina Baur, Elijah's mom, was at her home in Wisconsin Dells, a city over 100 miles southwest of Two Rivers.
Both Baur and Vang were arrested in February and face child neglect charges in connection with Elijah's disappearance. A preliminary hearing will be held on Sept. 27 for Vang and Oct. 22 for Baur.
Attorneys for Baur and Vang did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
What happens next in Elijah Vue case?
In light of recent events, Meinnert shared that what started out as a search for a missing had become a "death investigation."
"Although we understand your desire for information, we cannot share every detail and must maintain the integrity of the investigation. We know the family and community has a lot of questions," Meinnert said. "This is a process that will take a great deal of time, but we will do what we can in this investigation to answer those questions."
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Two Rivers Police Department.
Meinnert said we would continue to provide updates from the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Justice and the Manitowoc County District Attorney's Office as the investigation continues.
Brandon Reid and Alisa M. Schafer contributed to this report.
Have a story tip? Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner.
veryGood! (4561)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Alert! Old Navy Dresses Are 50% off & the Deal Ends Tonight -- Chic Styles Start at $12
- Nearly 50 homes in Kalamazoo County were destroyed by heavy storms last week
- Pro-union ad featuring former Alabama coach Nick Saban was done without permission, he says
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- 2 injured loggerhead turtles triumphantly crawl into the Atlantic after rehabbing in Florida
- New Mexico judge halts state mandate for school districts to adopt calendars with more school days
- Unrepentant Jan. 6 rioter Derrick Evans goes up against GOP Rep. Carol Miller in West Virginia
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani, likely to plead not guilty as a formality
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Cannes set to unfurl against backdrop of war, protests and films
- ‘Judge Judy’ Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
- No criminal charges in rare liquor probe at Oregon alcohol agency, state report says
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- New Mexico forges rule for treatment and reuse of oil-industry fracking water amid protests
- Assistant school principal among 4 arrested in cold case triple murder mystery in Georgia
- No criminal charges in rare liquor probe at Oregon alcohol agency, state report says
Recommendation
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Dallas Stars take commanding series lead vs. Colorado Avalanche with Game 4 win
Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder announces retirement after 24 seasons
Ohio adult-use marijuana sales approved as part of 2023 ballot measure could begin by mid-June
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Maine governor declines to remove sheriff accused of wrongdoing
AP Investigation: In hundreds of deadly police encounters, officers broke multiple safety guidelines
Scrutiny still follows Boston Celtics, even if on brink of eliminating Cleveland Cavaliers