Wisconsin
Grandma of Wisconsin boy, 3, who went missing after disciplinary ‘boot camp’ makes tearful plea
The grandmother and other family members of a 3-year-old Wisconsin boy who vanished after his mom sent him to her boyfriend’s home for “disciplinary reasons” made a tearful plea for help in locating him after the two were charged with child neglect.
Elijah Vue was last seen by an adult caregiver about 8 a.m. Feb. 20 at a residence in Two Rivers, police said.
His mom Katrina Baur and her boyfriend Jesse Vang have both been arrested on suspicion of child neglect.
Elijah’s grandmother Lia Vang urged the Two Rivers community not to give up.
“I want my grandson to be home with my family,” Vang said tearfully at a news conference earlier this week, NBC 26 reported. “So, I want everybody to continue. Don’t stop searching for my baby, Elijah.”
“We cannot express the depth of our sorrow, nor the desperation that consumes us as each moment passes without news of Elijah’s safety,” his aunt Linda Vue told reporters, Fox 11 reported.
“Every day without him feels like a piece of our hearts is missing. We long to hear his laughter, to witness his curiosity and to feel the warmth of his embrace,” she said. “The emptiness left in his absence is a void that cannot be filled by anything else.”
“If you can hear us, know that you are deeply missed and loved and we will not rest until you are safely back in our arms,’ the aunt added.
Elijah’s uncle Orson Vue said the family will fight hard to find him.
The boy’s frantic family struggled to find words to describe their pain, saying Elijah is a joyful, curious child who is full of life and love.
“It breaks my heart when I think about it. But, when we come together and put a plan in place, we go through with it,” he told NBC 26 during a search across parks and forests in Manitowoc County.
“It does give us a little peace of mind in that sense — that we are putting a lot of effort into finding Elijah,” he added. “It hurts… and it’s hard. It’s hard to face sometimes. He’s not here and we do not know where he is.”
Jesse Vang, 39, called 911 around 11 a.m. Feb. 20 to report that Elijah went missing while he was babysitting him, Fox 59 reported, citing a criminal complaint.
He reportedly said he had been trying to help Elijah’s mom correct the child’s “bad behaviors.”
On the day the boy went missing, Vang said he got his own son ready for school and saw Elijah still sleeping, Fox 59 reported.
After the two of them had breakfast later, Vang went back sleep and when he woke up Elijah was missing, the boyfriend told authorities.
Baur, 31, who lives in Wisconsin Dells, said her son had been in the care of Vang for about a week, adding that he is the “enforcer of rules” in the relationship.
Some of the disciplinary measures included praying, saying he was sorry and memorizing rules of conduct, Fox 59 reported. The mom reportedly told cops she wanted her boyfriend to teach Elijah how to “be a man.”
Vang told investigators that the time the boy spent with him was meant to be a form of “boot camp,” according to the complaint.
“He gets pretty tired from… I guess like from standing, too,” Vang told police, describing hours-long standing timeouts.
When Elijah tried to sit down, Vang would ask him if he wanted “cold water,” according to the complaint, which says he gave the boy cold showers as a form of punishment.
Baur was charged Monday with one felony count of party-to-a-crime of child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer. She was being held on a $15,000 cash bond.
Vang was charged with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect and was being held on a $20,000 cash bond.
At the time of his arrest, Vang also was under federal supervision on unrelated charges. His lengthy rap sheet includes previous charges for aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and child abuse, Spectrum News reported.
“(Baur) intentionally sent that child for disciplinary reasons for more than a week to the residence. She was aware of the tactics used and the lack of care provided,” Manitowoc County DA Jacalyn LaBre said at a bond hearing Feb. 23, KTVL reported.
“This was an intentional thing by her. And, on at least two occasions, during the interviews she has provided false information on her whereabouts during the past week,” she added.
Baur has requested her $15,000 cash bond be modified to allow her to be released on her own recognizance, Fox 11 reported. She argued that she has been unable to pay the bond. A hearing on the matter hasn’t been scheduled.
Meanwhile, the owner of Ross Auto Service in Two Rivers shared images with the outlet of Elijah in his shop with Jesse on Feb. 16 — four days before he was reported missing.
Ross Auto Service
He said there was nothing unusual about the visit, and that when he learned about the child going missing he immediately shared everything he had with police.
Elijah is 3 feet tall, has dark blond hair and brown eyes, and weighs about 45 pounds. He has a birthmark on his left knee.
An Amber Alert remains in effect and anyone with information is urged to call 1-844-267-6648.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin man arrested in Colorado in connection with deadly hit-and-run in north suburbs
A Wisconsin man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a fatal north suburban hit-and-run earlier this year that left a 50-year-old woman killed.
According to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, Travis Kern, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, turned himself into police in Lakewood Colorado on an arrest warrant. Kern was charged with two felonies, police said, and remains in custody in Colorado pending extradition proceedings.
About 11:10 p.m. on February 26, a pedestrian was struck in the 1400 block of Sheridan Road in Winthrop Harbor by a driver of a vehicle heading northbound. The vehicle then fled the scene, police said.
The pedestrian, later identified as Shanna White, 50, of Waukegan, was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, Kern’s next scheduled court date is set for July 22.
Wisconsin
TOUR KICKS OFF: Kids from Wisconsin begins 56th annual tour Thursday in Whitewater
WHITEWATER, Wis. (WMTV) – The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.
Kids from Wisconsin is a traveling show with 22 singer-dancers and 14 band members. The troupe performs across Wisconsin, hosting workshops for kids and helping fundraise for youth arts programs.
This year’s theme is “America’s Soundtrack: The Pulse of a Nation.” The theme honors the 250th anniversary of America and features music by all-American composers, bands and performers.
Kids from Wisconsin bassist and student leader Alex Coller said that range is what makes this year’s tour stand out.
“The theme is really just celebrating American music. And I think it’s definitely one of the most cohesive and like diverse shows I have played with this organization,” Coller said. “Even though its just American music it’s really cool to see. Anyone no matter who you are, or what your musical background is, or whether you like music or not, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”
Kids from Wisconsin’s artistic and choral director, Taras Nahirniak, said audiences won’t want to miss it.
“Find a show near you, you are not going to want to miss this show. It’s just spectacular, the kids are so talented,” Nahirniak said. “We are just finishing up our camp right now, and they are just working their tails off. To really go around the state and show the state what they have.”
The tour premieres Thursday night at Young Auditorium in Whitewater. For tickets, tour dates or to find a show, visit kidsfromwi.org.
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Wisconsin
Democrat Missy Hughes drops out of Wisconsin governor race
Marquette poll shows Wisconsin voters unfocused on governor race
A Marquette University Law School poll reveals Wisconsin voters lack focus on the governor’s race, with most undecided 5 months before the primary.
MADISON – Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes is dropping out of the Democratic primary race for governor and endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.
Hughes, who was the most moderate candidate in the Democratic field for governor, suspended her campaign days after placing last in a straw poll of party delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention in Madison.
Her endorsement of Rodriguez comes as some Democrats are eyeing an alternative to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who leans further left than current Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Hong and Barnes are considered frontrunners in the primary race.
In a statement, Hughes flicked at the approach of Hong and other candidates to her left who have proposed significant changes to state government.
“I believe there is great hope in these small efforts to find common ground. I wanted to make sure that Wisconsinites understand we have created something valuable and that investing in ourselves and our communities is well-deserved,” Hughes said. “We do not need to tear it all down, and there is real and important work to do to improve what we already have.”
Hughes suggested Rodriguez would make more reasonable decisions as governor than her primary opponents.
“This job is about running the state, and getting things done. As you consider what is important to you, I urge you to look beyond the talking points, social media posts, and gilded promises and consider what you think is essential to do the job,” she said. “Stop asking, ‘Who will win?’ and start asking who you trust to make big decisions that impact our families and the wellbeing of our loved ones, neighbors and communities.”
This developing story will be updated.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
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