MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Prosecutors do not plan to use cadaver dog evidence at trials for the death of three-year-old Elijah Vue, according to a court filing Monday, but oppose one of the suspect’s requests for a change of venue for his trial.
Vue’s mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, face multiple charges for the boy’s February 2024 disappearance and subsequent death.
Vang is charged with physical abuse of a child – causing death and hiding a corpse, while Baur faces four charges, including chronic neglect of a child – consequence is death and neglecting a child. No trial dates have been set. Both suspects return to court May 18 for a motions hearing.
Vang’s attorney had filed a motion last month seeking to bar evidence that police cadaver dogs “hit” on locations at Vang’s apartment and car. Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre filed a letter with the court Monday stating she has no intention of using such evidence.
“The State does not intend to introduce evidence of cadaver dog indications. The only mention of them may be that they were a tool used like many others in the investigation of this case. We do not anticipate admitting any of the results of the cadaver dogs. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a hearing on this motion,” LaBre wrote.
Vang’s attorney also asked for a change of venue, either by holding his trial somewhere else in the state or bringing in a jury from another county. In her reply, LaBre asked the court to deny the motion.
Based on federal and state case law, the defendant has not met the high bar to warrant a change of venue. This Court can ensure a fair and impartial jury through voir dire before resorting to the drastic remedy of ordering a change of venue and sequestration of the jurors. For these reasons, the state requests that the court deny the defense’s request for change of venue and sequestration.
Prosecutors say Baur sent her son to live with Vang at his Two Rivers apartment for “disciplinary reasons.” Vang reported Vue missing Feb. 20, 2024, and an Amber Alert was issued.
Months later, on Sept. 7, a man preparing his land for hunting season found human remains on private property near the entrance of Camp Manitou, a Girl Scout camp. Those remains were positively identified as Vue’s.
In June 2025, prosecutors made a plea deal offer to Baur. However, the details of the proposal were not revealed.
