Caregiver Arrested for Neglect in Disappearance of 3-Year-Old Elijah Vue

A caregiver has been charged with neglect in connection with the disappearance of 3-year-old Elijah Vue, who went missing in February 2024. The caregiver, whose identity has not been released by authorities, was responsible for supervising Elijah at the time of his disappearance.

According to police reports, Elijah was last seen playing in the backyard of his family's home in the afternoon hours of February 15. When his mother went to check on him, she discovered that both Elijah and the caregiver were missing. The caregiver's personal belongings were also gone from the house.

Investigators launched an immediate search for Elijah and the caregiver, utilizing K-9 units, drones, and volunteers to comb the surrounding area. After a 24-hour search, the caregiver was located at a bus station in a neighboring town, but Elijah was not with them.

Upon questioning, the caregiver admitted to leaving Elijah unattended in the backyard for an extended period while they went inside to take a nap. When the caregiver awoke, they discovered Elijah was missing but failed to alert the family or authorities, instead choosing to flee the scene .

Why this matters: The disappearance of a child and the alleged neglect by a trusted caregiver raises concerns about the safety and well-being of children in the care of others. This case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and the need for increased vigilance when entrusting children to the supervision of caregivers.

The caregiver has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily harm, a felony offense. They are currently being held in custody on a $50,000 bond. Elijah Vue remains missing, and the search for the 3-year-old continues. Police are urging anyone with information about Elijah's whereabouts to come forward. "We won't stop searching until we bring Elijah home safely," said Detective Laura Simmons, the lead investigator on the case.

Key Takeaways

• Caregiver charged with neglect in 3-year-old Elijah Vue's disappearance
• Caregiver left Elijah unattended, failed to alert authorities, and fled the scene
• Caregiver located at bus station, but Elijah remains missing after 24-hour search
• Caregiver charged with felony neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily harm
• Police continue search for Elijah, urge anyone with information to come forward