Initial complaint filed against Baur and Vang dismissed as couple faces new charges | WTAQ News Discussion | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM

Katrina Baur, left, and Jesse Vang appear in court Oct. 18, 2024, on charges related to the death of Baur’s 3-year-old son, Elijah Vue. (Images courtesy of Manitowoc County Courts/Zoom)

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The state’s motion to dismiss the original child neglect charges filed against Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang has been granted, according to online records.

Manitowoc County Judge Robert DeWane granted the request Monday morning. The initial motion to dismiss was filed Friday.

In February, Jesse Vang was charged with chronic child neglect as an accessory to a crime related to the investigation into the disappearance of 3-year-old Elijah Vue. Katrina Baur, Vue’s mother, was also charged with chronic child neglect, participation in a crime, and resisting or obstructing a police officer.

The charges were dropped hours before the two men appeared in Manitowoc County Court on Monday for the first appearance related to Vue’s death.

Last week, the Manitowoc County prosecutor filed new charges against both men.

Vang is now charged with physical abuse of a child, repeated acts resulting in death, concealing a dead body and resisting or obstructing an officer.

Baur is now charged with chronic neglect of a child (result is death), neglect of a child, and resisting or obstructing an officer.

Bail was set at $500,000 for Vang on the new charges, while Baur’s was set at $400,000.

Vang initially reported Elijah Vue missing on February 20. At the time, an Amber Alert was issued.

For months, law enforcement and volunteers searched for the little child. In early September, a hunter preparing his land for the hunting season discovered skeletal remains. The remains were later identified as those of Vue.

According to the criminal complaint, the circumstances of Vue’s death were homicide by unspecified means.

Doctors who examined the boy’s remains determined that he suffered from physical abuse, psychological and emotional abuse, and neglect. Doctors also discovered healed fractures on Vue’s skull and face.

Baur and Vang’s initial appearance on the new charges is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday in Manitowoc County Court.