Man accused of kidnapping Jayme Closs appears in court
The Wisconsin man accused of kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs appeared in court Wednesday. Jake Patterson, who is also accused of killing the girl's parents, James and Denise Closs, faces two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping and one count of armed burglary.
He faced a judge in person for the first time, and the judge scheduled an arraignment for March 27. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was ordered to stand trial.
As Patterson left the courtroom, he told his father, "I love you," The Associated Press reported.
Patterson allegedly confessed to targeting the teenager after seeing her get on a school bus. According to a criminal complaint, Patterson shot and killed Jayme's parents in October as they tried to protect her.
He is accused of holding her captive in his house until she broke free nearly three months later.
Investigators revealed last week they had obtained call logs, photos and videos from Patterson's cellphone, which was in the front seat of his car when he was arrested.
A criminal complaint filed earlier this month details Patterson's confession of killing James and Denise Closs and kidnapping Jayme. He told investigators he took her to a remote cabin, sometimes hiding her under his bed for hours, until she escaped.
Michelle Saffert, who is friends with the Closs family, said that since coming home, Jayme has spent time with loved ones, and in therapy.
"I don't think any of us can really know what she's going through but I think that if she has to be with a group of people that will love her and support her for the rest of her life, she's in the perfect family to do that," Saffert said.
Saffert said that no matter what happens with the suspect, Jayme will be OK.
"I have no doubt that she's going to make it. I have no doubt in my mind at all. The strong little fighter she is," Saffert said.
Patterson is being held on $5 million bail.