Warning: This article contains discussions of chi!d abvse, which may be distressing to some readers.
Text messages between the mother of Elijah Vue and her boyfriend, just before the three-year-old went m!ssing, have been disclosed. Earlier this year in February, toddler Elijah Vue was reported missing by his mother’s boyfriend, Jesse Vang.
On September 13, police confirmed that skeletal remains found in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, belonged to Elijah, and the toddler’s death was later determined to be ‘hom!cide by unspecified means.’
According to a complaint filed by Manitowoc County prosecutors, obtained by ABC 15 News, Vang called 911, stating that he was ‘babysitting’ Elijah when he ‘fell asleep’ and awoke to find the child missing. Vang claimed he was ‘trying to help’ Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, ‘correct’ Elijah’s ‘behaviors.’ Baur confirmed that her son had been in Vang’s care for a week.
However, after reviewing phone data from both Vang and Baur, law enforcement found information that contradicted their statements. The complaint states that Baur’s phone location data did not support her claim, as she was not in the Manitowoc area on February 16-17. Disturbing text messages between the couple were also uncovered.
In a text exchange on February 17, Vang told Baur that he was upset because Elijah had soiled his diaper and that he had given Elijah a cold shower. “Vang noted that [Elijah] was clean but scared,” the complaint continues.
Section 13 of the complaint reveals: “On February 18, 2024, at approximately 4:36 AM, Jesse Vang messaged Katrina Baur: ‘I told you to trust me.. I’m gonna make sure he hates me and being here.’ She responded: ‘Don’t want him to hate YOU. Just fear you.’ Jesse replied: ‘It’s ok. Someone had to be the bad person.’ Katrina messaged: ‘I know but either way he can fear you and respect you.’ Jesse stated: ‘He did fear me..but he didn’t respect me..now I’m making him respect me.'”
In an interview with authorities, Baur said Vang ‘enforced the rules in the relationship,’ which was why she had Elijah stay with him. While she claimed she ‘discussed with [Vang] the limits of discipline she did not want used,’ she added she was ‘fine with whatever discipline Vang enforced.’ She gave examples of discipline, including praying, apologizing, and memorizing four rules.
A photo shared between Vang and Baur over Facebook allegedly shows Elijah ‘standing in a corner wearing only a diaper, hands appearing to be in a praying position, with the diaper looking full.’ “Baur stated she wanted Vang to teach [Elijah] by example how to be a man,” the complaint notes. Vang mentioned that Elijah was ‘afraid of him’ before correcting himself to say the child ‘respect[ed]’ him.
Baur has been charged with obstructing an officer, chronic neglect of a child resulting in death, and child neglect. Vang faces charges of obstructing an officer, repeated acts of physical abuse of a child causing death, and hiding a c*rpse.