Nearly a month after 3-year-old Elijah Vue disappeared in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, a significant discovery has emerged: his blanket. The red and white plaid blanket, believed to be with Elijah at the time of his disappearance, was found on Goodwin Road, a rural stretch between Manitowoc and Two Rivers, approximately 3.7 miles from where he was last seen. Two Rivers Police Department Chief Ben Meinnert confirmed on Facebook that the blanket indeed belonged to Elijah.
Elijah’s disappearance sparked an intensive search effort, with the blanket becoming a focal point in the quest for answers. However, alongside the discovery of the blanket, troubling details have emerged. Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, 31, and the caregiver, Jesse Vang, 39, have been charged with child neglect in connection with his disappearance.
Baur faces charges of neglecting a child and obstructing an officer. According to court documents, she entrusted Elijah to Vang on Feb. 12, purportedly to impart lessons of manhood, with plans to retrieve him on Feb. 23. However, Vang reported Elijah missing on Feb. 20, claiming he had fallen asleep and awoke to find the child gone. Both Baur and Vang deny involvement in Elijah’s disappearance.
During a hearing in February, Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre suggested that Baur deliberately sent Elijah to Vang’s residence for disciplinary purposes, being aware of the neglect and mistreatment he might face there.
The search for Elijah has extended across various terrains, including wetlands, farmlands, and riverbanks, with police urging the public to assist by scouring both urban and rural areas for any signs of the missing child or evidence related to his disappearance. In a heartfelt plea, authorities implored locals to provide any relevant information, offering a substantial reward of up to $40,000, generously donated by the community.
As part of their investigative efforts, police have meticulously reviewed extensive footage from dashcams and security cameras. They specifically sought images of a beige 1997 Nissan Altima with Wisconsin plates and a registration starting with A, believed to have been in the vicinity between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Feb. 19, possibly linked to Elijah’s disappearance.
The discovery of Elijah’s blanket marks a significant development in the ongoing search, yet questions persist, intensifying the urgency to unravel the mystery surrounding his disappearance. With the community rallying behind the search efforts and law enforcement agencies leaving no stone unturned, hope remains for Elijah’s safe return as the investigation continues to unfold.
