Jayme Closs Speaks out a Year after Being Kidnapped for Nearly 3 Months

Kidnap victim Jayme Closs has spoken up a year after she suffered a horrific fate, and she revealed that she feels "stronger every day."

It has been a year since Jayme Closs was kidnapped by the man who murdered her parents, and the teenager is doing all she can to live life normally.

On Monday, the 14-year-old released an exclusive statement to ABC News, detailing how she has been holding up since the traumatic experience.

She said:

"I really want to thank everyone for all the kindness and concern that people all over the country have shown me."

Jayme continued, saying she was thrilled to be back home and return to all the activities she loved and enjoyed.

She added:

"I love hanging out with all of my friends, and I feel stronger every day!"

The teenager's statement was confirmed by her aunt, Jen Smith, and the family attorney, Chris Gramstrup, who revealed that Jayme was working "very hard on her emotional well-being."

Closs has been reclaiming her life back as the statement revealed that she spends time with her family and goes on hiking trips with her friends.

Jayme's late parents, James and Denise Closs, were also remembered at the news conference.

Gramstrup spoke of the deceased, describing the teen's dad as "an athlete with great strength" and her mother as a woman with a massive amount of love and kindness for the people around her.

During the news conference, Jayme's bravery through it all was applauded by the Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald praised the teenager for reaching everyone the "true meaning of courage, resilience, and hope."

The Vice President of the Missing Children Division at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also revealed that the success of Jayme's case helped inspire them to never give up on finding other missing kids.

As reported by CNN, Jayme was kidnapped by 21-year-old Jake Patterson from her home after he killed her parents.

Patterson confessed to authorities that he wanted to kidnap Jayme from the first moment he saw her get on the school from his car, which was behind.

Jake abducted the-then 13-year-old and kept her for almost three months before she planned her escape. The Guardian reports that Jayme was found by a woman who was walking her dog when she fled.

Patterson was sentenced to life in prison without parole in May.