MANITOWOC COUNTY, Wis. — The mother of Elijah Vue and the man who was caring for him at the time of his disappearance were both back in Manitowoc County court Thursday. Vue has been missing since Feb. 20.

Elijah Vue was staying with Jesse Vang at his home in Two Rivers at the time of his disappearance. According to court documents, Vang told investigators that Vue’s mother Katrina Baur sent Vue to stay with him so he could help correct what he described as bad behaviors.

Both Jesse Vang and Katrina Baur went before Judge Robert Dewane in Manitowoc County Court Thursday. Vang is facing charges of Neglecting a Child, while Baur is charged with Chronic Neglect of a Child, Restricting or Obstructing an Officer, as well as other charges.

The case against Jesse Vang remains stalled until the state of Wisconsin can secure a public defender to represent him. In court Thursday, Judge Dewane explained to Vang that they continue to search for an attorney. Vang will return to court on March 21 for a preliminary hearing.

Meanwhile, Katrina Baur waved her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. Judge Dewane then determined there was enough evidence that a felony was committed to allow the case to move forward. Baur will be back in court for an arraignment on March 22.  

In the courtroom, members of the Vue family, as well as those involved in the organized search efforts for Elijah Vue, gathered. Cheryl Rauen has been active in the search efforts for Vue for weeks. Rauen said she came to support Elijah Vue and his family Thursday. Rauen vowed that search efforts will continue.

“If that were my kid or my grandkid, I’d want to know where he is,” Rauen told reporters outside the courtroom.  

Both Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang remain in the Manitowoc County Jail.