Charging documents reveal dreadful details of Jayme Closs' abduction

The man accused of kidnapping Jayme Closs, and killing her parents on October 15, 2018, in Barron, Wisconsin, appeared in court on Monday where details of his plan got revealed.

21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson got formally charged with two counts of intentional homicide, one count of burglary and one count of kidnapping. Because Jayme got held captive in Douglas County, additionally charged of crimes committed there may be added.

The accused appeared in court via a video-link where their prosecutors requested bail to be set at $5 million cash. The judge also ordered Jake not to contact Jayme or anyone who aided her escape.

Jake had told investigators that he spotted Jayme Closs, 13, while on his way to work at a cheese factory near Almena, Wisconsin. He had “made up his mind to take her,” and it won’t be until his 3rd attempt that he was able to abduct her.

HOW THE ABDUCTION HAPPENED

Young Jayme told investigators that her dog, Mollie started barking late that night, waking the Closs’s from their sleep.

After Jayme’s mum, Denise, saw a masked man dressed in black holding a gun approaching the door, they went to hide in the bathtub after Denise dialed 911. James, Jayme’s dad, then went to the door. Soon after Denise and Jayme heard a gunshot, and knew that James had been shot.

The accused then went in search of Denise and Jayme, he broke down the bathroom door and told Denise to put tape over Jayme’s mouth, Denise struggled, and Jake took over. He taped Jayme’s mouth before he tied her ankles and hands up as well.

With Jaime secure, he shot her mother and dragged her out of the house to his car. As Jake drove away from the scene, he had to stop to give three squad cars right of way as they sped towards Jayme’s house after receiving the 911 call around 1 am.

AFTER THE ABDUCTION

Jake took Jayme to a cabin in rural northwestern Wisconsin he said was his. Once there he told Jayme to go to the bathroom and take her clothes off and gave her his sister’s pajamas to wear. Jake then threw her clothes in the basement fireplace to get rid of evidence.

Whenever someone came around, she had to hide under his bed and told her that “bad things could happen to her” if she made a noise. He stacked totes and laundry bins with barbell weights around Jayme so she couldn’t move without him noticing.

Sometimes Jayme was forced to stay under the bed for up to 12 hours, with no food or water, or the ability to move much, let alone go to the bathroom.

When Jake’s father came to visit he would turn up the radio in the bedroom to make sure any sounds she might make would be masked by the music.

HOW JAYME WAS FOUND

On January 10, after being missing for 88 days, Jayme was found walking down a road in Gordon, Wisconsin. The weather was icy, and she was without a coat and gloves, but she was free. She had managed to escape the cabin where Jake was holding her captive.

A woman walking her dog saw Jayme and took her to her neighbors, Kristin and Peter Kasinskas house and begged them to call 911.

When they opened the door, they saw a vaguely familiar dirty looking, frightened face of a girl. But soon they recognized her and spoke to her regarding the description of her kidnapper and his car.

Jayme appeared calm and could hold a conversation but refused anything to eat or drink but accepted a blanket as she was cold.

HOW JAKE PLANNED THE KIDNAPPING

The accused planned out the abduction with care. Jake chose his father’s 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun because it was commonly used, and thought it would be harder to trace.

The shotgun and shells got carefully wiped free of fingerprints and used gloves to load the weapon. Jake also cleaned up his appearance.

He shaved his face and head, and showered right before the abduction and killings, and dressed in black. The car’s number plates got replaced with stolen ones and Jake also disconnected the dome and trunk lights.

To make sure she doesn’t try to escape. He also disabled the anti-kidnapping strap in the trunk of the car.Jake confirmed that he only learned Jayme’s name shortly after the abduction when he arrived home, and only learned who the parents were after he saw the news on television.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The accused is due back in court on February 6, and if convicted could face a life sentence for the homicide charges in killing Jayme’s parents, up to 40 years in prison or a $100,000 fine for kidnapping and 15 years in jail or up to $50,000 for the burglary charge.

THE SWIFT ACTIONS OF THE 911 OPERATOR

When the woman that found Jayme dialed 911, Amy Pullen was the dispatcher who helped bring her home. She had worked as a 911 dispatcher for ten years, but she never anticipated any call having such an effect on her as Amy elaborated:

“This is the first time in 10 years I've gone into a full body shake and body sweat just because of the severity of the situation and how public it was, and her family was in dire need of finding this girl."

She knew exactly whom the caller was talking about and immediately turned her attention to getting officers to Gordon while she found out the identity of the kidnapper and a description of the car he was driving.

Half an hour later Amy knew Jake was in custody and felt a massive sense of relief as she added:

“You can't put into words what a great feeling it is. Then you think of what this poor girl has gone through and her next day is coming... all I can think about is her."

Amy had never met anyone involved in any of her 911 calls but would love to meet Jayme and her family once matters have calmed down, to give them all a big hug.

Consider following if you are on Instagram. Or read more on our Twitter account @amomama_usa or both!