US: 3-Year-Old Goes Missing As Mom Sends Him To ‘Learn To Be A Man’

A three-year-old boy, Elijah Vue, is missing after his mother sent him to a man's home for "disciplinary reasons," according to authorities. The boy's mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, are both facing charges related to the case.

Baur reportedly sent Elijah to Vang's apartment in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, approximately 150 miles away from their home in the Wisconsin Dells. Authorities believe she intended for Vang to "teach the boy how to be a man" and enforce discipline. However, the boy is now missing and was last seen on February 20 under the watch of Vang.

3-Year-Old Missing After Mother Sends Him To "Learn To Be A Man"

Elijah Vue, the 3-year-old toddler, was last seen by Jesse Vang when he was staying at Vang's from February 12 to February 20 before he went missing. Vang reported the incident to the police after he woke up from a nap and found the little boy missing. Reportedly, Vang had had three 12-ounce beers and a muscle relaxant as a sleep aid when Vue went missing. 

A week after the boy went missing, on Monday the mother of the toddler, Katrina Baur (31) was formally charged with one felony count to party-to-a-crime for child neglect, and two misdemeanours of obstructing a police officer due to alleged inconsistencies in her statements.. Jesse Vang, Baur's boyfriend (39) has been charged with one felony count of party-to-crime by Manitowoc County District Court.

Vang told the cops he had been trying to help the toddler's mother correct his "bad behaviours". Baur separately told the investigators that Vang was the "enforcer of rules" in the relationship, which is why she sent her son under the care of Vang for disciplinary reasons and wanted Vang to teach the toddler how to be a "man" like him.

Citing the statements, investigations revealed some of the disciplinary measures for the little boy, including memorizing rules and prayers and saying he was sorry. Vang also allegedly used tactics such as long time-outs, lasting for up to three hours, and cold showers as punishment to enforce discipline on the little boy. 

Vang also told the investigators that the little boy was mostly bottle-fed, was not potty-trained, and was not allowed to play with the one toy he had during the period he was staying at Vang's as he was on "time out". 

Baur reportedly knew about these methods and approved of them, sending her son intentionally to Vang's residence. 

The search for Elijah is ongoing, with authorities urging the public to be on the lookout for the missing boy. The community has rallied together, expressing concern and offering support for his safe return, while the FBI and police department have announced rewards for any leads for the missing child.

This case raises serious concerns about child welfare and the use of harmful disciplinary tactics. It highlights the importance of responsible parenting and seeking professional guidance when facing difficulties with child behavior.