Grandfather: Jayme Closs In ‘Good Spirits’ After Escape

The grandfather of a 13-year-old northwestern Wisconsin girl says she’s in “exceptionally good spirits” after being found nearly three months after authorities say she was kidnapped during a home invasion that left her parents dead.

Jayme Closs had been missing since October. Robert Naiberg told The Associated Press in a telephone interview on Sunday that he has spoken with his granddaughter the last two nights. He said she’s “doing exceptionally well for what she went through.”

The teen disappeared after a home invasion in Barron on Oct. 15. During the incident, Jamye’s parents, James and Denise Closs, were fatally shot. Jayme Closs was taken from the home, investigators said.

The girl was found when she approached a stranger on Thursday near the small Town of Gordon, in northwestern Wisconsin. Jayme apparently escaped from a cabin where she was being held and gave Douglas County authorities arrested Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, minutes later based on Jayme’s description of his vehicle.

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said Patterson’s goal was to kidnap Jayme but that the family didn’t know him. Fitzgerald said Patterson extensively plotted the attack to the point where he shaved his head to avoid leaving forensic evidence behind. He said authorities don’t know of any social media connection between Patterson and the girl.

Naiberg told The Associated Press on Saturday that the family didn’t know Patterson. He said Jayme told FBI agents that she didn’t know Patterson at all. He wondered whether Patterson was somehow stalking Jayme.

Authorities are holding Patterson on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide in the Barron County Jail. Charges are expected Monday afternoon.

Teen’s Family Talks About Girl’s Return

Jayme’s aunt said that the girl had “a pretty good night sleep” on her first night back with family.

Jennifer Smith posted on Facebook Saturday that it was great to know Jayme was next to her all night and that it was a “great feeling to have her home.” Smith wrote that the family faces a long road to recover from the ordeal.

Another aunt, Sue Naiberg Allard, posted that Jayme got “the most awaited hug ever” when she returned home.

Churchgoers: Prayers Answered By Teen’s Return

Churchgoers in Barron said their prayers were answered by Jayme’s return.

At St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Barron, Mary Haas saidthe reappearance of Jayme Closs is “a miracle and it’s wonderful.”

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports parishioners on Sunday dedicated prayers to Jayme, friends, family and everyone who searched for her.