Mom of Elijah Vue Reacts Following Discovery of 3-Year-Old's Remains, as She Faces Neglect Charges

Mar. 15, 2025

Katrina Baur (left); and Elijah Vue.Photo:Manitowoc Co. court; two rivers police department/facebook

Manitowoc Co. court; two rivers police department/facebook

The mother of3-year-old Elijah Vueis reacting from jail after the child’s remains were found several months after the boy’s disappearance.

Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, was arrested alongside her boyfriend on child neglect charges after the child went missing,PEOPLE reportedat the time, citing a statement from the Two Rivers Police Department in Wisconsin.

On Sep. 7, police in Two Rivers found human remains only miles from where the child went missing, thedepartment said at a press briefingon Sep. 10. The remains were positively identified to be of Elijah’s, the department said.

Days after the missing boy’s skull and bones were found, Baur, 31, who according to prosecutors' assertions in courtsent the boy to her boyfriendas punishment right before his disappearance, reacted through her lawyer.

“She had continued to have hope that her little boy would be found alive,” Gratz said in the statement. “At this time, she is mourning the loss of her son.”

Elijah Vue.Two Rivers Police Department

Two Rivers Police Department

Two days after Elijah was reported missing, police announced that the boy’s mother had beenarrested on a charge of child neglect.

Vang, who lived at the same address where Elijah was last seen, was also arrested on a charge of child neglect, Manitowoc County’s online court records show. (Neither has been charged in connection with Elijah’s disappearance or death).

Jesse Vang (left); and Katrina-Baur.Manitowoc County Jail;Two Rivers Police Department

Manitowoc County Jail;Two Rivers Police Department

In February, prosecutors alleged in court that Baur sent Elijah to Vang for “disciplinary” purposes right before the child went missing,Fox 11,NBC 26andCBS 58reported at the time.

Vang allegedly told authorities that he was helping Baur “correct” the child’s “bad behaviors,” the criminal complaint stated. Prior to the disappearance, Vang allegedly expressed his anger to Baur, claiming Elijah had “overfilled” his diaper, per the complaint.

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Vang allegedly told police that Elijah disappeared from his room while he was asleep, the complaint further stated.

Both Baur and Vang have entered pleas of not guilty for their charges, Manitowoc County’s online court records show.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com