TWO RIVERS, Wis. — For half a year, many people in and around Two Rivers have been asking the question, “Where’s Elijah?”
Two Rivers resident Arik Johnson said the disappearance of the now 4-year-old isn’t the kind of thing that happens in this community.
“Obviously it was very sad, and it was very difficult to deal with. It was shocking because things like that don’t happen here,” he said. “When the community heard about that, it was kind of like ‘Huh? Here? Two Rivers?’”
Law enforcement agencies from around the country were joined in the ensuing search by people from across Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Missing signs went up all over Two Rivers and Manitowoc.
“Everyone knew about it and everyone was trying to do something to help,” Johnson said.
On Tuesday, Two Rivers police said it continues to investigate Vue’s disappearance and remain hopeful they will find him.
Vue’s mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, are in custody on chronic child neglect charges. They have both pleaded not guilty.
No one has been charged in connection with the boy’s disappearance.
Amy Potthoff moved to Two Rivers just days before Vue went missing.
“I feel safe here in Two Rivers seeing how the community came together for this child,” she said. “People are aware we have a really good police department here, so that’s one of the things I’m taking away from it is that they really care.”
Potthoff, who opened Cool City Cycles in June, said it’s important Vue’s story stays in the spotlight.
“The community wants to see him found,” she said. “I’m sure the community wants to have that happen.”
After six months, the community is still focused on finding answers — and Vue.
“It’s still in the community’s heart,” Johnson said. “But it’s difficult and it’s painful either way you go about it, whether there’s a resolution or not.”