The mother of 3-year-old Wisconsin boy Elijah Vue, whose remains were found last month, has been charged in connection with his death, according to officials.
Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said in a news conference, shared by WBAY News, that after a “thorough investigation by law enforcement,” they have charged Elijah’s mother Katrina Baur with chronic neglect of a child where the consequence is death, child neglect and obstructing an officer.
LaBre added that Baur’s partner Jesse Vang has been charged with physical abuse of a child involving repeated acts that cause death, hiding a corpse and obstructing an officer.
“Elijah was a young boy whose life was tragically cut short,” LaBre said during the press conference. “This is an incredibly tragic situation that has shaken our community. My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Elijah’s family who are in unimaginable pain.”
Baur and Vang were arrested on child neglect charges after the child went missing on Feb. 20, Two Rivers Police Department said in a press briefing at the time.
Elijah was last seen around 8 a.m. local time on that day at an address in Two Rivers, Wis. Vang previously told authorities that he fell asleep and woke up to find Elijah missing before calling 911.
In February, prosecutors alleged that Baur sent Elijah to Vang for “disciplinary” concerns, FOX 11, NBC 26 and CBS 58 reported, citing prosecutors’ statements in court.
“She intentionally sent that child for disciplinary reasons for more than a week to the residence,” Manitowoc District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said in court, per NBC 26 and CBS 58, at the time. “She was aware of the tactics used and the lack of care provided. This was an intentional thing by her.”
It was reported in April that Elijah’s mother had left her son with Vang for extended periods to “teach” him “by example how to be a man,” and she had sent the boy to stay with her boyfriend as punishment right before his disappearance, per a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.
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Elijah’s remains were eventually located on Sept. 7 just over three miles northwest from where he was originally reported missing on private property by a person getting his land ready for the hunting season,” police said. They added that it was in a “thick wooded area.”
“This is not the outcome that we hoped for,” Two Rivers Police Department’s Chief Benjamin Meinnert said. “The family is devastated. We are devastated. Our community is devastated.”
Baur and Vang previously pleaded not guilty in court for child neglect charges.
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.
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