A widely circulated photo of Jayme Closs, a face we all came to know in the past three months.
I ARRIVED HOME from last evening’s poetry reading in Northfield on a high—the euphoric feeling a writer experiences from sharing her passion with an appreciative audience among other gifted poets.
But then I turned on the TV to watch the 9 p.m. news. And my joy doubled, no quadrupled, with the news that missing teen Jayme Closs of Barron, Wisconsin, was found late Thursday afternoon. Alive. The 13-year-old has been missing since her parents, James and Denise Closs, were discovered shot to death in their home on October 15, 2018.
Those murders and missing child case have been major news here in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Even nationally early on. But three months out, the hope that Jayme would be found alive faded. Not into hopelessness—because her family and many others never gave up hope. But reality wedged into thoughts as many of us remembered the high profile abduction of Jacob Wetterling in central Minnesota in October 1989. It took 27 years to find Jacob, shot to death by his abductor. We all know that if a missing child is not found within days of his/her disappearance, the likelihood of finding that child alive decreases substantially.
But now we have Jayme who, according to media reports, escaped from a home near Gordon in rural northwestern Wisconsin when she was left alone and sought help from a woman walking her dog. A suspect is now in custody.
The Barron County Sheriff’s Department has scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. today. Yes, I’ll be watching. And reminding myself of the importance of never giving up hope. For hope, too, is poetry.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I got home from grocery shopping last just as that news was breaking. Many prayers for her and her family as they work through the aftermath of this horrific tragedy.
Yes, there’s lots to work through. But I am thankful for the prayers of her safe return being answered.
That was some news conference, whew. You’ve said it all so well. I was thankful faith and God got a mention. Now, what can be learned. What new levels a school official experiences is for sure life altering., Certainly professionally. Praise God.
Amen.
I am VERY happy that she has been found and is now safe! The perpetrators of this type of crime are of the lowest of the low.
I had an English professor (Moorhead State) who stated “The reason we are alive today is that someone, somewhere decided not to kill us.” Now, that may sound pretty cold, but what this young lady endured is pretty cold!
Long story about a bird the 1st Skirt (female Marine First Sergeant) had pinned to her wall shortened to: Not everyone who does you wrong is your enemy and not everyone who helps you are your friends.
May all of you live in peace, may you all go about you days and nights under God’s protection.
Under God’s protection. Amen.
It is very good news about Jayme.
And it was fun to hear you read your poetry last night!
Yes, to the good news.
And thank you, Becky and Trace for attending last evening and supporting poets and poetry. I truly appreciated all in attendance.
I was thrilled to hear the news last night of Jayme’s escape! I was able to watch part of the news conference this morning and all of the one this afternoon. She was such a brave girl to escape & leave and thanks to God for the dog walker and that she is now safe! It’s incomprehensible what she will have to deal with as she comes home to her family and friends. Prayers will continue for her as she deals with life without her parents.
Jayme will certainly continue to need the love, prayers and support of many. What a joy and blessing to have her free and back home.
We were so happy to hear that Jayme was safe after so long. I know she has a difficult road ahead in healing and moving on but she will continue to be in our prayers.
Yes, Jayme, her family, her community, her classmates and many more remain in need of prayer. I believe Jayme will find the strength to recover. She is a remarkable young woman with an incredibly loving family and community.
What a miracle for her to have been found alive. Prayers will be needed for her as the healing process has just begun as she tries to make sense of it all.
Exactly.
Miraculous indeed that this poor girl was found alive! 🙂
It was miraculous that she escaped her captor and encountered a woman walking her dog who in turn led Jayme to safety.