TWO RIVERS – An event to celebrate Elijah Vue’s fourth birthday will be held at Kiwanis Park in Appleton on August 25.
The event starts at 1pm and includes face painting, cake and balloon animals.
Two Rivers police posted about the event on their Facebook page, saying they wanted to “assure everyone that this is a legitimate event for Elijah.” The post said the police department had received several inquiries from people wanting to make sure it was not a hoax.
“The family has asked us to pass on the message that everyone is welcome,” the post said.
Elijah has been missing for more than six months.
In an August 20 press release, Captain Andrew Raatz of the Two Rivers Police Department said, “We feel it is important for the public to know that while we have resumed normal operations in our community over the past few months, such as 911 calls, community events and the like, the search for Elijah and the investigation are ongoing and remain our priority.”
The captain added that police are continuing to pursue leads and clues with the help of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. He said investigators are analyzing “extensive amounts of data” from the searches.
“We are confident that our investigation will ultimately reveal the truth about Elijah’s disappearance,” Raatz wrote.
Elijah has been missing since February 20. His mother, Katrina B. Baur, is being held in the Manitowoc County Jail on $15,000 bail while facing child neglect charges in connection with Elijah’s disappearance.
Jesse Vang, 39, of Two Rivers, also faces child neglect charges. He reported Elijah missing from his Two Rivers residence on Feb. 20 and was arrested shortly thereafter on child neglect charges.
A reward continues to be offered for information leading to the discovery of Elijah or the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his disappearance. The FBI has offered a $15,000 reward, Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers has offered a $10,000 reward, and the City of Two Rivers has offered another $15,000 reward funded by community donations.
Anyone with information that could help in the search for Elijah should call the tip line at 844-267-6648 or submit information through the Crime Stoppers app P3.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. You can reach her by email at [email protected].
