MANITOWOC (NBC 26) — Jesse Vang, Elijah Vue's caretaker, pleaded not guilty to three felony counts including hiding a corpse, and one misdemeanor.
The charges stem from the death of three-year-old Vue, the boy who went missing from Two Rivers in February. Vang was the one to report Vue missing, according to police.
Vang appeared via Zoom for his arraignment Monday at the Manitowoc County courthouse.
Manitowoc District Attorney Jaclyn LaBre said the state will have an offer to resolve Vang's case to his attornet by February 7, 2025.
Vang is scheduled for a scheduling conference at the Manitowoc County courthouse on March 13, 2025.
Elijah Vue's mother, and Vang's partner Katrina Baur is also being charged with two felonies, including chronic neglect of a child (consequence is death, and two misdemeanors.
Baur's case will reopen for a scheduling conference on February 12, 2025.
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(The following is a transcript of the story.)
It's been nearly nine months since Elijah Vue was first reported missing, and about two months since his remains were discovered. Now, I'm speaking with one man who has been here through it all, from the searching, to the court dates for those accused of harming Elijah.
Scott DeBauch is from Manitowoc.
"I've got a four-year-old grandson,” DeBauch said. "I just can't imagine that happening to a little boy that age."
After Elijah disappeared, Scott began to help in the search.
"There's things that went through my mind that I really don't want to speak about,” said DeBauch
He didn't stop there. Scott has attended nearly every court case for both Jesse Vang and Katrina Baur.
"i just think this little boy needs to have someone watching what's going on and have a voice for him,” DeBauch said. “He couldn't speak for himself, they silenced him."
And he watched with a heavy heart as Elijah's remains were found in the Town of Two Rivers and new charges were brought against the defendants.
"It's anger, you know,” says DeBauch.”There's a lot of anger there with what this man did to this four-year-old boy."
But he won't stop coming to support young Elijah.
"It's just a sad case all the way around,” DeBauch said.
Jesse Vang will not appear back in the Manitowoc County courthouse until March. Elijah's mother, Katrina Baur, will return to court in February. Both are pleading not guilty to all charges.
