The mother of 3-year-old Wisconsin boy Elijah Vue and her partner were charged Thursday with child neglect and child abuse that resulted in the boy’s death, the Manitowoc County prosecutor said.
Elijah’s remains were found in woods northwest of Two Rivers in September, more than six months after a report that he was missing touched off an intensive search.
“Elijah was a young boy whose life was tragically cut short,” Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said at a news conference.
His mother, Katrina Baur, is charged with chronic neglect of a child where the consequence is death, child neglect and obstructing an officer, LaBre said.
Jesse Vang is charged with physical abuse of a child involving repeated acts that cause death, hiding a corpse and obstructing an officer, she said.
Baur and Vang had previously been charged with child neglect, but the new charges allege the boy’s death. Vang is Baur's partner, NBC affiliate WTMJ of Milwaukee reported.
Elijah was reported missing Feb. 20, and authorities conducted searches by land and from the air looking for him.
A hunter found his remains on Sept. 7 in some woods about 3 miles northwest of Two Rivers, a town of around 11,000 on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Baur and Vang were being held in jail Thursday, records show. A bond hearing is expected Friday, LaBre said.
Baur and Vang have pleaded not guilty in the earlier child abuse case. An attorney listed as representing Baur did not immediately reply to a request for comment Thursday evening. Attorneys who had represented Vang are listed in court records as having withdrawn.
