Katrina Baur (Photo courtesy Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office)
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Katrina Baur, the mother of Elijah Vue, wrote a letter to the court, asking for a new attorney.
Baur faces four charges, including chronic neglect of a child – consequence is death, and neglecting a child, for the 3-year-old boy’s February 2024 disappearance and subsequent death.
Her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, is charged with physical abuse of a child – causing death and hiding a corpse.
A two-and-half-week trial for both is scheduled to begin April 14, 2027.
In a letter to the judge filed late last week, Baur asks for a new attorney.
For many months I have repeatedly asked my attorney to begin for the trial. Despite those requests, she has consistently refused to meaningfully discuss or prepare a trial strategy with me. To this day, I have not been informed of any trial strategy, and I have no reason to believe one has been developed,” she wrote.
To my knowledge, no expert witnesses have been retained, despite the issues in this case that may require expert testimony. To my knowledge, no meaningful witness interviews or investigation have been conducted on my behalf. I have not been provided with any explanation of how my defense will be presented if this case proceeds to trial,” Baur said.
I understand attorneys must make strategic decisions and that disagreements alone do not justify appointment of new counsel. However, my request is not based simply on a disagreement. It is based upon a long-standing and complete breakdown of communication, together with my sincere belief that my defense has not be adequately investigated or prepared, despite my repeated requests over many months,” Baur said.
Judge Anthony Lambrecht scheduled a hearing for July 13 on the issue.
Attorney Amber Gratz has not filed a response, court records show.
Prosecutors allege 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.
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