TWO RIVERS – Two Rivers Police Department confirmed a human skull and bones discovered at a private property Sept. 7 belonged to missing Elijah Vue.
The update was shared at a press briefing at the Two Rivers J.E. Hamilton Community House at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Police did not take questions from the media. The Amber Alert issued Feb. 20, the day 3-year-old Elijah was reported missing from a Two Rivers apartment, will be canceled.
"This is not the outcome we had hoped for," Two Rivers Chief of Police Benjamin Meinnertsaid. "The family is devastated. Our community is devastated."
Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office responded to the discovery of human skeletal remains at a private property in Two Rivers Sept. 7 after a local deer hunter who was getting his property ready for the hunting season contacted law enforcement about the discovery.
The sheriff's office said in a news release posted on Facebook the next day it couldn't confirm if the remains were related to Elijah's case, but identification would be a "lengthy process."
During the Sept. 13 press briefing, police said a Wisconsin Crime Lab forensic anthropologist confirmed the skull and bones as human remains and underwent DNA testing, after the police department assisted the sheriff's office and Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation with recovery.
Meinnert said the "thick, wooded" area, about 3 miles northwest from where Elijah was reported missing Feb. 20, had been canvassed and searched multiple times by law enforcement, private citizens, the land owner, by air, and with search and rescue teams. The private property was off Kristy Bob Lane and Manitou Drive, not on nearby Manitou Girl Scout camp property.
"Despite all those previous efforts and throughout different conditions and changing seasons, we continued searching and had additional searches scheduled as early as next week," Meinnert said.
Meinnert said Elijah's family was notified and asked the public to respect their privacy to grieve.
The police chief also asked the public to respect the property owner.
Meinnert extended his gratitude to DCI, the FBI, fire departments, neighboring agencies, churches, schools, search and rescue groups, residents and city employees for their roles in the case.
"I never met Elijah, but I watched that 3-year-old boy bring out the best of an amazing community," Meinnert said. "I can't thank the public and our businesses enough for all their assistance and support through this tragedy."
Related:No bail reduction for mother of missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue, but judge grants her supervised visits with her other child
Police say social media reports after remains were discovered were 'false' or unconfirmed.
Meinnert said the department's intention was to first notify the family of the discovery of remains and then alert the public.
"Prior to that, reports went out on social media and other platforms, some of which were false, and most of which had yet to be confirmed," he said. "While we do feel it's important to share information with the public, our first priorities are Elijah and the integrity of the investigation as well as communication with his family."
The department repeatedly said throughout the search for Elijah that it was the "sole source of factual information in the investigation."
Related:Elijah Vue is one of more than 30 missing children in Wisconsin
3-year-old Elijah Vue was reported missing Feb. 20
Feb. 20, Elijah was reported missing from an apartment in the 3900 block of Mischot Road by Jesse Vang, 39, boyfriend of Elijah's mother, Katrina B. Baur, 31. Baur was at her residence in Wisconsin Dells at the time.
Vang told police he last saw Elijah around 8 a.m. that day when he ordered the child to stand next to his bed and pray as punishment. Elijah was gone when he woke up nearly three hours later, Vang told police. He then called 911 to report him missing at 10:59 a.m.
Baur and Vang were arrested in February and charged with child neglect related to Elijah's disappearance.
Related:What to know about Jesse Vang, the Two Rivers man charged with neglecting missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue
Baur was charged with felony child neglect, misdemeanor child neglect involving another child, and two misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing an officer. A status conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. Oct. 22. Vang faces neglect charges as well, with a status conference scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 27.
Elijah's fourth birthday was Aug. 25, celebrated at a community event in Appleton.
Amid the massive search for Elijah —searching neighborhoods, rivers, shores, landfills, Baur's home in Wisconsin Dells; analyzing video data; utilizing K-9 teams and aerial drone footage —the investigation led to several pieces of evidence recovered in the case.
Two Rivers police said March 5 it was seeking video footage between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Feb. 19 related to recovered 1997 Nissan Altima, not owned by either Baur or Vang.
The department also reported March 18 it found Elijah's red-and-white plaid blanket 3.7 miles from the apartment building where Elijah was reportedly last seen.
Two Rivers police seeking public's help in death investigation
Meinnert said the department will share updates from DCI and the Manitowoc County district attorney moving forward.
"What started as a search for a missing boy has now become a death investigation," he said at the Sept. 13 press briefing. "Although we understand your desire for information, we cannot share every detail and must maintain the integrity of the investigation. We know the family and community has a lot of questions. This is a process that will take a great deal of time, but we will do what we can in this investigation to answer those questions."
Meinnert said anyone with information not previously shared or related to the investigation can contact law enforcement.
Brandon Reid and Alisa M. Schafer contributed to this report.
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