Almost seven weeks after 3-year-old Elijah Vue went missing, searchers are still looking in different parts of Wisconsin, including the well-known Avery Salvage Yard in Manitowoc County.
Volunteers started searching the salvage yard on Monday, at the place where freelance photographer Teresa Halbach’s remains were found in 2005, resulting in the arrest and conviction of Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey for her murder.
According to WSAU, searchers clarified that there had been no indication linking Elijah to the property, but the property is less than nine miles from where the child was last seen.
“There’s always that dark side that makes you fear the worst,” volunteer Nicole Rivera stated. “I hope that he’s okay and he’s alive, and hopefully he will be found alive.”
Avery’s family allowed searchers access to the property.
According to CrimeOnline, Elijah was last seen on February 20 at an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers, in the care of his mother’s boyfriend, Jesse Vang.Vang was later arrested on child neglect charges. Elijah’s mother, Katrina Baur, was also arrested and charged with being a party to child neglect. Vang said Baur allowed Elijah to stay with him for several weeks, beginning on February 12, due to reported behavioral issues.
A criminal complaint stated that Vang reported the child missing, claiming that he brought Elijah into a bedroom with him at around 8 a.m., and ordered him to stand next to the bed and pray. Vang claimed he fell asleep and when he woke up three hours later, the child was gone.
Near Vang’s apartment, investigators found various pieces of evidence, including a shoe matching the description of what Elijah was wearing when he disappeared.
Close to Vang’s apartment, investigators gathered various pieces of evidence, including a shoe matching the description of what Elijah was wearing at the time of his disappearance.
The Two Rivers Department (TRPD) announced earlier this week that the reward fund for information that leads to Elijah has reached $40,000, following additional funds raised by the department. This also includes $15,000 from the city, $15,000 from the FBI, and $10,000 from Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers.
He was last seen wearing gray pants, a long-sleeved, dark shirt, and red and green dinosaur slip-on shoes. He may have been carrying a red and white plaid blanket.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the state tip line at
844-267-6648,
Two Rivers police at 920-686-7200 , or the P3 app for anonymous tips. READ ADDITIONAL COVERAGE HERE[Feature Photo: Elijah Vue/Twin Rivers PD]
[Feature Photo: Elijah Vue/Twin Rivers PD]