By Dennis Romero—
NBC News
An intense search is underway to find a missing 3-year-old boy in Wisconsin who authorities say was sent by his mother to stay at a man's home "for disciplinary reasons."
Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre made this statement in court Friday, in reference to the disappearance of
Elijah Vue
, who was last seen last Tuesday.
LaBre called for child neglect charges against Vue's mother, Katrina Baur, 31, and the man she allegedly sent her son with, Jesse Vang, 39.
Elijah Vue.Two Rivers police Department
Charges have not been formally filed, and case documents are sealed, but LaBre's statements in court and information provided by police shed some light on the disappearance of the 3-foot, 50-pound, long-haired boy. blonde and Hmong descent.
Police said in a statement that someone who claimed to be Elijah's "adult caregiver" called authorities last Tuesday to report that the minor was missing from a residence in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and that the last time he
was seen at the scene had been around 8:00 am that same day.
Following the report, an extensive search was launched and an Amber Alert was issued throughout the state, authorities said.
[They identify the 3-year-old boy who died after being found “with a laceration in his neck” at a home in Lancaster, California]
During his detention and bond hearing, LaBre claimed that Baur “purposely sent that child for disciplinary reasons for over a week to (the man's) residence.”
She was aware of the tactics used (by him) and his lack of care.
It was something intentional on her part.”
Prosecutor LaBre told NBC News she made the comments alleging that Baur sent Elijah to stay with Vang as punishment.
LaBre also alleged that Baur was not truthful with agents investigating Elijah's disappearance.
The nature of the relationship between Baur and Vang was unclear.
A public defender assigned to the case did not immediately respond to a request for comment on behalf of both defendants.
Baur and Vang remained behind bars Sunday night, according to Manitowoc County Jail records.
They were due to appear in court this Monday afternoon.
Investigators
have not said what they believe happened to Elijah.
They are searching by land and air using state, local and federal resources.
“Since the moment Elijah was reported missing, law enforcement at local, state and federal agencies, along with volunteers and community members, have been working tirelessly around the clock to search every corner of our city and beyond,” Two Rivers Police Chief Benjamin Meinnert said at a news conference Wednesday.
The officer urged residents to check their home grounds for the minor and report any sightings or clues to authorities.
Two Rivers police said in a statement Sunday that the Green Bay Police dive team assisted in the search.
“Our search efforts continued throughout the night last night and
will continue today in the rivers of our city
,” the police department stated.
Two Rivers is a city of about 11,000 located on the shores of Lake Michigan, about 90 miles north of Milwaukee.