Wisconsin police are continuing to search for Elijah Vue, a missing three-year-old, two weeks after his mother and the man who was looking after him were both charged with child neglect.
Elijah, who has blond hair and brown eyes, was staying with Jesse Vang, 39, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin - a town 40 miles southeast of Green Bay.
"Elijah Vue has not been found," the Two Rivers Police Department shared in a Tuesday afternoon press release. "Law enforcement from all over the state, in addition to FBI, DCI, and DNR, assisted in searching rural areas in Manitowoc County this morning, and will continue to do so into the afternoon."
Elijah's mother, Katrina Baur, took her son to stay with Vang to make her son "be a man," according to NBC News. Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre alleged that Baur "intentionally sent that child for disciplinary reasons for more than a week to the residence."
During his stay with Vang, the toddler was allegedly forced to take cold showers and stand for hours during punishments. Baur, "was aware of the tactics used and the lack of care provided," LeBre said.
Vang first reported Elijah missing on February 20 after he awoke from a nap and realized the child was gone, according to WMAQ.
Law enforcement has also identified a beige 1997 Nissan Altima as a vehicle of interest, in the search for Elijah. The vehicle is not registered to Baur or Vang, according to the Two Rivers Police Department.
The police department is asking that local residents and business owners review surveillance footage from February 19, 2024, between the hours of 2:00 PM and 9:00 PM to find more information regarding the Nissan Altima. The police are not interested in the vehicle's owner - though they clarified that it was not registered to Vang or Baur.
Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the discovery of Elijah and/or those responsible for kidnapping him. The FBI is also offering a separate $15,000 reward.
"Let us stand together, vigilant and determined until Elijah is safely reunited with his loved ones," Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers said in a statement. "Your assistance can make the difference."
