Jayme Closs’ family breaks their silence after the missing girl is found alive

On October 15, Jayme Closs went missing after her parents Denise and James Closs were found dead at their home in Barron County. However, the year started off on a good note for her family when she was found alive on Thursday.

Now her family and community have opened up about how they feel knowing she’s alive after nearly three months of searching.

Jayme Closs, 13, is a Wisconsin teenager who was allegedly kidnapped after her parents Denise, 46, and James Closs, 56, were found murdered in their home in Barron County. She was, fortunately, found alive in Gordon, Wisconsin this week.

For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. On Friday, her family broke their silence over the news, with her aunt and godmother, Jennifer Naiberg Smith, saying they would be reunited with the teenager after she is released from the hospital in the afternoon.

She said:

"I hear she's doing great and getting rest right now. All I know is that she escaped from where she was being held, saw a lady walking a dog and ran to the lady asking for help."

Smith also shared that she would be meeting with FBI investigators on the same day to learn more details about the case. An unnamed woman found Jayme and accompanied her to the home of Peter and Kristin Kasinkas.

The Kasinkas then offered the teenager food and water and called 911. Smith further stated:

"We are just happy everyone kept praying and didn't give up hope, like we didn't. A lot of happy tears in this house tonight."

The teenager’s aunt also added, "My sister can rest in peace now. And Jayme is coming home to me." After hearing the good news, the residents of Barron also expressed relief and gratitude.

An unnamed resident said: "Everybody has been holding out hope. It's on their windows. It's in their yards. It's just wonderful news. I'm so glad." While another added, "She'll have a loving community to come home to. There will be a lot of help."

Barron mayor Ron Fladten stated:

"It's overwhelming. We've prayed daily for a long time that Jayme would return safely to our community. And you can tell by the emotion in my voice that this is a really big deal."

Jayme escaped from her kidnapper and sought help from neighbors in a remote, wooded area about 65 miles north of her hometown on Thursday. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody 11 minutes later.