The man accused of kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs after killing her parents makes a Barron County Court appearance today. Court documents indicate Jake Patterson “targeted” Jayme after seeing her get on a school bus years ago. He is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional murder, one count of kidnapping and one of armed burglary. Patterson confessed to kidnapping Jayme and killing her parents.
Information disclosed in the criminal shows the teen was with her mother when she was shot and killed. The record shows Jayme and her mother were hiding in a bathroom when Patterson shot and killed her father. Patterson then is alleged to have broken down the bathroom door and killed the mother before dragging the Jayme to his car.
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says investigators will mostly let Jayme dictate the speed of the investigation. Closs is said to be in “good spirits” and will live with her aunt, for now. A Facebook fundraiser for Closs raised 50-thousand-dollars in less than 24 hours.
