25 Years

Posted by joy.the.curious on Oct 18, 2014 in Jacob | 58 comments

Wow… where to begin. It’s been such a whirlwind year, and I’ve been overwhelmed trying to decide how to write this blog post. It’s incredibly hard to put into words what the 25th anniversary of Jacob Wetterling’s abduction means to me. But, I definitely have some things to say, so here we go.

This Wednesday, October 22nd, will mark 25 years since Jacob Wetterling was taken at gunpoint from a rural road in St. Joseph, Minnesota. It was just after 9pm, and Jacob was returning home from a local convenience store where he had gone to rent a movie with his friend, Aaron, and his younger brother, Trevor. They were just a few blocks from home when a masked gunman stopped them, ordered them to put their bikes in the ditch and lie face-down on the ground. One by one, they were asked how old they were, then Trevor and Aaron were told, “Run toward the woods and don’t look back, or I’ll shoot.” When they got far enough away and dared to look back, Jacob and the gunman were gone. He has not been seen since.

This past Tuesday, six billboards went up in locations near Jacob’s abduction. They say “STILL MISSING” and show a picture of Jacob in 1989, along with an age-progressed picture of what he might look like today at age 36. They also include the number for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1-800-THE-LOST. Anyone with a tip is encouraged to call the hotline. You may remain anonymous.

This past Tuesday, six billboards went up in locations near Jacob’s abduction: St. Joseph, St. Cloud, Cold Spring and Paynesville.

Along with the billboards, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, together with Jerry and Patty Wetterling, the FBI, the BCA, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) gave a joint press conference. Patty and Jerry both spoke, and we were encouraged by the words of John Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCMEC, who said that in a five year time span, from 2009-2013, over 160 kids had been found who had been missing between 11-20 years.

Wow. Wouldn’t that be something.

The fact that all these agencies are coming to the table after 25 years is both encouraging and hopeful. I think it is a testament to how active this case really has been, especially in the past year.

I also think there’s an interesting phenomenon that has started to occur. I didn’t catch it at first, but it started to gel after I was reviewing some of the comments and messages I’ve received on my blog over the past few years. It seems there’s a common phrase I keep hearing over and over, and it comes from a generation who is just now beginning to realize how much Jacob’s disappearance has impacted their lives. It goes something like this… “Now that I’m a parent myself…”

You see, these are Jacob’s peers who have been talking to me. They’re in their late 30s now, hovering toward that monumental 40th birthday. They’re busy chasing kids, life, and the American dream. But, when they finally get a chance to slow down and reflect for a moment, I think they’re starting to realize something. At this point in their lives, they are now very close to the same age that Jerry and Patty Wetterling were when Jacob was taken. And for them, like all of us, that is an unbearable thought.

But something is different this go-round. This generation thinks and acts differently than any generation before them. They have something that is innate and instinctive to them. It’s called technology… and they know how to use it.

In the past few years (and the last year in particular), I have seen this investigation explode because of the power of the internet. From blogs and forums, to Facebook and Twitter, people are talking and sharing more than ever before. And more than that, they’re demanding answers.

Throughout the past year, I have seen victims reach out to other victims, encouraging each other to come forward and share their stories. For many, it’s the first time they’ve ever spoken openly about their experience. It is raw, and emotional, and hugely impactful. And while these memories are deeply painful for all of them, they have agreed to do it for the same reason… because now they are parents themselves.

We admire Patty and Jerry Wetterling for all they’ve done to make this world a better and safer place for our children. In 1990, they started a foundation in Jacob’s name to raise awareness about childhood abduction (now called the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center). They helped pass the Jacob Wetterling Act of 1994 which required states to implement a sex offender and crimes against children registry. They have reached out to other families of childhood abduction, and in 1998, helped found Team HOPE, a national support group for families of missing children. Today, Patty serves as the Director of Sexual Violence Prevention for the Minnesota Department of Health, and is also the Chair of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

For these things and more, we admire and respect the Wetterlings. But it’s more than that. We also see them as parents, just like ourselves, so we grieve for them, hurt for them, and wish so badly there was something we could do to help.

The truth is, Jacob could have been any of our children. He was an 11 year old boy, doing what 11 year old boys do. He was taken from a kind and gracious family who loves him, and who did everything they knew to keep him safe. So, how does a boy like Jacob get taken from a small town like St. Joseph, on a country road that was just blocks from his home?

Not OK.

Not then, not now, not ever.

Jacob, we will never forget you, and we will never stop searching and demanding answers. As Minnesotans, we consider you one of our own… OUR son. Our Jacob.

The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center reminds you to keep your porch light on this Wednesday, October 22, and to also do something kind that helps build hope in our children. They offer a list of 25 suggestions you might try to honor Jacob and his family. And, as always, please keep the tips and prayers coming. Thanks for #ThinkingJacob with me.

25 Ways to Build Hope in Children

1. Help me build a fort.

2. Stop at my lemonade stand.

3. Read to me.

4. Listen without distractions.

5. Join me in finding animal shapes in the clouds.

6. Model kindness.

7. Create art.

8. Teach me empathy.

9. Put an encouraging note in my lunch.

10. Do something with me to make our block more beautiful.

11. Sing to me.

12. Remind me to share.

13. Be a voice for youth.

14. Celebrate differences.

15. Dance with me.

16. Teach me something new.

17. Help me create a family of snow angels.

18. Tell me campfire stories over s’mores.

19. Take technology breaks.

20. Ask me my opinion.

21. Create a scavenger hunt.

22. Volunteer somewhere together.

23. Put together a neighborhood event.

24. Take me on a bike ride.

25. Talk to me about online and body safety.

Next time

From a former bulldog

58 Comments

1.     Donavon Mickelson | December 2, 2014 at 4:57 pm

Dave K; I am impressed with your way of thinking and I have been in Law Enforcement 31 plus years You have some good points that need to be looked at and I am going to add one more to your thoughts. This apt. was kiddie corner from a Catholic Church where a priest could very easily watch people come and go from that apt. Many crimes are committed by neighbors and I am mainly talking about men who will rape or sexually abuse the neighbor girl after watching her go by his home many times during the period of a year or more. Some are those who make obscene phone calls to them as soon as they enter their home. They might not talk but just breathe heavy. The Catholic Church near the apt. and the Catholic school in St.Joseph may have some type of connection and someone might know that connection. You point about a man in a mask inside a door might be a very vital point but then again he could have slipped the mask on and off very quickly. These points may not connect with Jacob but they are important to show that the man you are talking about is a definite stalker and has done it before.

2.     Donavon Mickelson | December 2, 2014 at 4:59 pm

Dave K; I also forgot to mention that I too have also been concerned about the possibility of a connection with young hockey boys. It’s too bad that in those days there were not enough cameras around to show the entire crowd as it might have been very important.

3.     Dave K | December 2, 2014 at 11:35 pm

Donavan M, thanks for the comments. Evidently there is also some speculation as to possible Catholic connections in St Joseph, I’m not all that familiar with certain aspects of the surrounding area, I’m just going with what information I find available. I had also figured that the mask could easily be a quick on/quick off thing; but, at the same time, his presence in a doorway of that nature, for what reason(?)…. and the fact that he could have been caught with the mask; makes me think that he had some way of knowing what he was dealing with. I’d like to be able to just take at least some aspect(s) of his actions and see whether we can narrow down just something that seems to point in a certain direction. Also, thanks a lot for the compliment; I appreciate that a lot, coming from someone in law enforcement.

4.     Donavon Mickelson | December 4, 2014 at 3:22 am

In MOST cases, a perpetrator of a crime wears a mask because they know that their victim knows them already. There are many that wear a mask anyway but I still believe in Jacobs case, the boys knew who he was.

5.     Sarah | August 7, 2015 at 7:45 am

I grew up in the Pleasant Acres development in St Joseph from the late 60’s thru mid 80’s. We grew up riding our bikes everywhere. When I was 11, I was allowed to bike on County Rd 2 all the way to Kays Kitchen near town. My friends and I biked everywhere and knew the roads like the backs of our hands. Every pothole, ditch, shortcut and we even rode in the dark and in the winter if roads were clear. It was as easy as breathing and as teenagers, we knew which headlights coming at us were local police cars and which were not. There was a curfew and we weren’t supposed to be out at night. Most kids I grew up with did this. The point I’m trying to make is, I believe the person who took Jacob was a local. He or she would know the backroads and farms well if he or she grew up there. We used to canoe on Watab lake and would follow the creek as far as it would go toward SJU. We would cross country ski across frozen lakes and farms. I could still navigate that area if I still lived there, I remember it so well. The perp probably did the same. I firmly believe it was a local. There wasn’t a lot to do indoors. No Internet and we didn’t even get cable until the early 80’s. If you grew up there, you spent much of your childhood outdoors.

I also grew up skating at the ice arena in St. Cloud. Most kids I knew played hockey or figure skated and many worked at the rink. I worked for an ice rink in MD and one day a Sheriff deputy dropped by with a big binder of registered sex offenders and asked if we had seen any if them. He said ice rinks, parks and the library were extremely popular places for sex offenders to frequent because they could observe and blend in easily. I’ve always felt there was a connection here with Jacob and the arena. His dad sensed danger. His gut was most likely spot on.

Mr Wetterling’s chiropractic business had a billboard on the highway from St Joe to St Cloud. His bearded face was plastered on it for years. I’ve always felt that maybe the perp was a client. That billboard made Jerry somewhat of a local celebrity. Maybe he saw a picture of Jerry’s kids in the office. Has anyone looked at his patients? Could it have been that during office chitchat, that Jerry mentioned he was going out that night? Or that there were hockey tryouts or other skating related talk. I’ve been to many doctors offices and have exchanged pleasantries with many doctors. It happens. You get to know your patients, build rapport and your personal life may leak out. My husband has photos of our kids in his office and I always have on my desk. Stalkers notice. Has LE looked at Jerry’s clients? They would have been local.

I’m just throwing ideas out there. Jacob’s disappearance has always deeply troubled me and I know my thoughts are all over the place, but I feel they may be important. We were those kids biking, so to speak. We never thought we were in danger ever and our parents let us be kids and explore. My heart hurts knowing this happened to Jacob and I pray all the time he is found. I feel as a parent and as a mental health professional, that the perp is local and knew the area and routines well. My theory is plausible. Probably more plausible than it having been a perp from outside the area. Thanks for all you’ve done, Joy!!!!

6.     Donavon Mickelson | August 7, 2015 at 6:46 pm

Smart Thinking Sarah.

7.     Izzyb | August 23, 2015 at 4:38 pm

Sarah
I have been thinking the same thing recently. Regarding the community knowing who Jerry was. And how well he really knew everyone that he met. How well do we really know our aquantences?? We don’t. I really think its gonna take some divine intervention to solve this case. And kudos to Joy!!

8.     doug | September 9, 2016 at 5:28 pm

Dear Joy,

You made what I would’ve liked. Fortunately you live near the Wetterlings
and had access to the info, Jared, etc. I’m happy Jacob is home. Congrats
on your efforts and if you ever work in something similar I hope you
are successful. After following this case, I finally found my peace.

Best,

Doug.

9.     Jenny | October 18, 2014 at 12:05 pm

Well said Joy, Keep pushing for answers

10.  curious57 | October 18, 2014 at 1:36 pm

My heart breaks for the mother & family.
It’s the ‘Not Knowing’ that takes its toll.

11.  Julie Tremp | October 18, 2014 at 1:54 pm

Very nicely written!

These six billboards are great! However, why aren’t bill boards being placed in other states? It’s seems to me that it’s much like chasing their own tail. If they’re investigating this like Jacob is still alive, then it’s possible a child trafficker may have abducted him, and they could have taken him to any state.

Child molesters can come from out of state, and if they’re looking outside the box at all, they need to look outside of the state/area. Twenty five years is a long time, and there’s been too many dead ends. Something doesn’t feel right, and I hope the Wetterlings get answers soon!

What strikes me as interesting, is that the abductor wanted to know their ages, and what they looked like! This seems like a child predator, or possible child trafficker who’s been at this a long time!

12.  N Welsh | October 18, 2014 at 2:53 pm

I, too, have never been able to get past the question about ages. I think that holds a big key to the case. As to the posters, I hope they generate tips from someone with either knowledge or a conscience.

13.  ssk | October 18, 2014 at 3:44 pm

thank you for all your efforts, joy! as a kid from that area during that timeframe, it’s still very real to think about. and like you said..now that i’m a parent and just turned 40, i just cannot imagine.

keeping the lights on!
paynesville, mn grad. class of 1992

14.  Robyn | October 18, 2014 at 5:24 pm

Joy that’s your name, and what you expel through your writing and your heart.
Jacob, his family, and all of us are so blessed to have you on our team.
God bless this family, all the families, and you.
God bless Jacob.

15.  Mario V | October 18, 2014 at 6:39 pm

LIght’s on Joy!

~Mario V

16.  Dave K | October 18, 2014 at 7:24 pm

I certainly hope for the best; any hope, for good results. Thanks to Joy for keeping the light on in this case. I’ve been reading the blog for a little over a week now; I wish I had found it earlier; but, I think I’ve read pretty much all the blog posts, and most of the comments, which are informative themselves. I only became aware of the story during the airing of “The Hunt” a while back, but, I recorded it, and have re-watched it several times.

I had been hoping that they would put up billboards using the picture of ‘the sketch’ what I call the main sketch, with the ball cap, that Jared helped produce. I was hoping they’d check w/ Jared, now that he’s older and see if he feels that that sketch is representative; if so, then I’d like to see billboards with that sketch on one side and wording like “Did you know him 1986 – 89? Wanted for Abduction of Young Boys in this area” – something like that, and a picture of Jacob at the time on the other side. I personally don’t have a positive sense about the ‘age enhanced’ sketches.

Anyway, bringing the subject back to the surface is great and hopefully some information will come forward. Best Hopes!!!

17.  curious57 | October 18, 2014 at 9:21 pm

N Welsh, I don’t understand the ‘ages’.

18.  Dave K | October 19, 2014 at 3:48 am

I had meant to include in my previous comment, that this blog is exceptional, very informative; thanks for putting it together!

19.  Julie Tremp | October 19, 2014 at 9:56 am

Very well stated David!

I’m on the same page. I wish they would use that sketch on a billboard, and possibly advance the age of what that person would look like now. They need to also put the billboards in other states.

Sadly, many boys who are molested keep it a secret a very long time, and may never tell that secret. If they saw they sketch, they may come forward with valuable information to investigate.

On the other hand, maybe investigators don’t want to do this for a reason. Maybe they don’t want the perpetrator to get tipped off that he’s being looked for, or that one of his victims has identified him.

25 years is a long time to reach continuous dead ends, and it doesn’t make any sense.

I hope they use this sketch to investigate further. I think it’s a very good lead.

I’m so thankful for your work Joy! Never give up!

20.  jbrown | October 19, 2014 at 12:35 pm

I think Stearns County needs to give up some information to let FBI or private investigators in on the search. 25 years is way too long.

21.  Michelle | October 19, 2014 at 4:44 pm

I lived my whole life in St. Joe and grew up on the same street Jacob was taken from. I never knew him personally but will never be able to forget the way my mom cried that entire day after he was taken. I was only five but remember it so well. I am now a mother of 3 boys myself and I can’t even begin to imagine what Jerry and Patty had to endure. The last few months this has bothered me so much. I read articles and your blog and pray for answers. If I think about it too much i feel sick to my stomach with all the unanswered questions. I just don’t even want to think about what his parents go through in their minds daily. Thank you for helping to bring this back to into the light. I can only hope this new interest can help to solve the mystery! Great Job!

22.  Pamela Brown | October 19, 2014 at 8:33 pm

Jbrown | October 19, 2014 at 12:35 pm said:
“I think Stearns County needs to give up some information to let FBI or private investigators in on the search. 25 years is way too long.”

I agree. They could have been going down the wrong path(s). The more fresh eyes the better imo. Now is the time to push for answers at all levels.
Good work, Joy…

23.  Joyce | October 19, 2014 at 9:13 pm

I still think there is a lot of information that is being kept hidden from all of us!

24.  Dave K | October 19, 2014 at 9:51 pm

Regarding the comments about Stearns County giving up information and inviting other agencies to investigate, I also agree. One other thing that I’d like to get from Stearns Co, is that whereas they’ve stated (to my understanding) that several of the previously named suspects have been ‘cleared’ so, if that’s the case; I’d like to see a somewhat comprehensive description of how these various suspects were actually ‘cleared’ there have been more than a few cases that have gone on for a period of years, where it turned out that someone who had been ‘cleared’ earlier in the investigation had actually been the perpetrator. I’d just really like to see, How they can state categorically that they have been ‘cleared’ if that is in fact the case.

25.  Patty | October 20, 2014 at 8:37 am

Joy. Your doing such a great job investigating this case. 25yrs ago ,such a long time. But still other kids,etc. someone knows something. I just wish at least just to be told if by some miracle Jacob is still alive some tip would be great. The not knowing would drive me crazy,the family needs closure.

26.  Jean | October 20, 2014 at 9:44 am

People from other states are interested in Jacob as well. I am from Boston, and have followed this case since Elizabeth Vargas did a TV special on it many years ago. My heart goes out to the Wetterling family, and I believe that they should put billboards in other states, too. There has to be someone out there who knows something. Even though it is unlikely that Jacob is still alive, the Wetterling family deserves answers. They need proof of what really happened that night. My thoughts will be with them this Wednesday.

27.  Meghan Peterson | October 20, 2014 at 10:54 am

Great job, Joy!

28.  Jessica Baker, Minneapolis | October 20, 2014 at 11:23 am

Been checking your blog for months now and am so glad that there is someone out there like you Joy. I was only a few years younger than Jacob when he was taken, and like others, this case has haunted me. I am now 32 and have 2 kids. This case is even more heartbreaking as time goes by. I also feel that this was done by someone within the community, especially after connecting the Paynesville incidents. More people need to come forward with information, no matter how unimportant the small bit of info may seem. I also agree with everyone that has stated Stearns County needs to give up some info to private investigators and the public. I understand the investigation is ongoing, and the police department doesn’t want to “compromise” the case. But if the department is holding back information from the public and the Wetterling family simply because they think they could still make an arrest, well, after 25 years, I think that ship may have sailed. If they cannot have their precious son returned to them, they at least deserve answers and some closure by any department, agency, or person(s) that may be able to crack this case.

29.  Tashana | October 20, 2014 at 3:18 pm

A friend of mine pointed out on Facebook that the drawing of Jacob’s abductor, looks a lot like the man that was arrested on Friday for trying to get kids from the St.Cloud library to come home with him. His face shot looks just like the drawing minus the truckers cap. Thought it could be something for you to look into.

30.  ginasus | October 20, 2014 at 7:07 pm

No where do I get the sense of the age of Jacob’s abductor. If in his 60’s he could be dead by now. Are the men in jail for life with no possibility for parole for the murder of the school teacher? If so, what do they have to lose by confessing? NOTHING! I worked on Joan’s Law for 40 to 60 hours a week for 4 years in the 90’s simply because, if Joan had been my child and someone could help me and they didn’t , that would have been horrendous. It took its toll on me and I cannot imagine what the relatives and friends have gone through. At least, I could step away knowing I had done God’s will for the gifts given to me and heal from the trauma I felt. I pray for some kind of “closure” for everyone. As my sister said, at least there is a word for it even though most families say there never is any.

31.  jim | October 20, 2014 at 7:24 pm

glad to hear people are still interested , and thanks Joy for your work your blog. Like some others I would like to hear that the police have decided to open the case to new eyes , like John Walsh’s team , why they will not after 25 years is another mystery … To Tashana where is the picture of your guy
it is worth a shot ,hope people look

32.  curious57 | October 20, 2014 at 8:00 pm

Someone posted about an arrest of a 66 year old, for sticking his finger into a 3 year old’s mouth. Since the arrest, other mothers have come forward, with similar stories.
Google Man arrested at St. Paul, Minnesota library.
Bond was low, he may already have been released.

33.  Julie Tremp | October 20, 2014 at 8:01 pm

Tashana,

It’s worth a shot!

I just saw an article on the internet about it.

The creep is 66 years old. The abductor/child molester of those boys in the mid to late 80s was in his 40s, and would be around that age today 60’s/early 70s. At this point, I don’t think one stone can be unturned.

It seems the abductor from the 1980s abducted all boys, however. The boys were in the same age range, and had similar features.

My gut feeling still says the perpetrator isn’t from the area, or he’d be caught by now. I agree, an outside investigation by the FBI needs to be done.

Joy, I don’t think these questions would be raised without the great research and work you did. More years would have just passed by for the Wetterlings to have no answers! Maybe they’ll get some kind of help now!

34.  Courtney | October 20, 2014 at 9:27 pm

Does anyone know if the police were able to do a search of the home of Delbert Huber? They had to of done a search when he was being investigated for the murder of the teacher.

35.  Courtney | October 20, 2014 at 9:35 pm

Also, I wonder if they searched all of Delbert Hubert’s property.

Below was from an article we he was being charged for murder:

“However, Delbert Huber’s application for a public defender was denied. County Attorney Jenna Fischer noted to Judge Smith that Huber owns 80 acres of land in Kandiyohi County and 97 acres in Stearns County, with a total taxable value of $589,000.”

36.  Debbie Johnson | October 21, 2014 at 1:16 am

I would imagine that if Jacob is still alive, it would only be natural, and understandable, to have formed a family bond with his Caregiver over the last 25 years. Jacob’s Caregiver has had the power to decide if Jacob lived or died. If Jacob is still alive, that means that his Caregiver would have provided Jacob with food, water, clothing, shelter, and care for the last 25 years.

I would imagine that Jacob’s Caregiver did not, and does not, want to loose Jacob. And, I would imagine that, Jacob would want to protect the only Caregiver he has known for the last 25 years.

I would imagine that Jacob and his Caregiver may be able to remain together for several more years. And, I would imagine, someday after most of us are dead and gone, our Detectives will be able to determine exactly who Jacob’s Caregiver was for all those years.

I would imagine, Jacob’s Caregiver would prefer that his legacy showed proof of his love for Jacob, by having compassion for the family that loved and took care of Jacob for the first 11 years. Jacob’s first family has felt Jacob’s Caregiver’s pain.

Jacob’s Caregiver could go to a Walmart, buy a disposable phone, and call whatever venue he chooses……..just to let Jacob’s other family know that Jacob is O.K. (Then dump the phone in some random trash can.)

Or, if Jacob died a long time ago…. Caregiver could call and leave a message where Jacob’s remains can be found, so that all Jacob’s families could have closure.

I would imagine that Jacob’s Caregiver reads this blog.

.

37.  Jean | October 21, 2014 at 7:33 am

What puzzles me about this case is that police now say that Jacob’s abductor did not have a car, but rather escaped with him on foot. How could this man NOT be caught if that is the case? Perhaps this is why the next door neighbor was a suspect. My guess is that this kidnapper had a car parked somewhere nearby, as he would need to get as far away from that area as possible before the massive search began.

38.  Tamara | October 21, 2014 at 12:09 pm

Tashana and Julie – I…m with you regarding the man who was arrested in St.- Cloud yesterday. He bears a resemblance to the sketch of the man in Jared’s and Jacob’s case and he was 41 years old in 1989, which is close to the age group the man in the sketch is believed to have been in. Furthermore, a few simple searches on the Internet reveals he has had addresses in Paynesville and St.-Joseph. I think he is definitely worth interrogating – on where he was in 1989 and if he had any involvment with Jared, Jacob and the other boys assaulted. If he had been living in the area at the time, did he move shortly after? He might have nothing to do with any of this of course, but if I was law enforcement, I would be VERY curious about him. Who pulls a move like he did, so brazen, in public, in front of the mother? And then with other children, all in the same day? It’s as if he wanted to get caught…

39.  Former Bulldog | October 21, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Debbie, I too have thought a lot about whoever took Jacob.

I think there’s a good chance he reads this blog.

I don’t know if he took Jacob and kept him; I tend to think like Patty wrote that maybe he meant to let him go but something went wrong, and he didn’t mean to kill him but that’s what happened.

I grew up in Paynesville, in town, and am around Jacob’s age…I remember Chester the Molester, as we kids called him. I thought he was a figment of our imagination until finding this blog back in May. I had always connected Chester in my head to whoever took Jacob, it was shocking to me to discover this summer that not only was Chester real, but we kids were very possibly right in our hunch that it was Chester who got him.

Did you know we called you that, Jacob’s abductor, if that was you and if you’re reading this? We thought you were a monster and maybe you wanted us to think that. Maybe you still want us to think that. Now that I am an adult with kids of my own, I know that you aren’t a monster, because monsters don’t exist. What you are is broken, and you did some very broken things.

I’m pretty sure you were abused yourself as a child, that things happened to you that very much shouldn’t have happened. Things that weren’t okay. Did you know that? That they weren’t okay? Or did they happen so often that it seemed normal to you? Or is it complicated? Was there anyone who showed you love? Was it the person who showed you love who did the things to you that children should be shielded from? Or was there no love and only horrible things, and you have spent your life trying to get rid of the pain of your early years by doing similar things to children?

While I no longer believe you are a monster, you are still a figment of my imagination. I have no idea who you are or if any of that was true for you. If horrible things happened to you, as a mother I want to say: I am so sorry that stuff happened to you that you felt you had to do horrible things back. The things you did weren’t right, and the things done to you weren’t right. If you were a part of our community, I am sorry that our community failed you, that it didn’t have the tools to deal with someone with your level of pain. But you weren’t alone in that: it didn’t have the tools to deal with your first victims in Paynesville either, which is why that article in the Paynesville Press went unnoticed by our teachers and parents.

You taking Jacob changed all that.

You taking Jacob set in motion a vast course correction within the community. The Wetterlings, somehow, miraculously, through their pain, were able to set up their foundation and set up the Sex Offender Registry and since Jacob’s abduction, there is just no way that an article like that in the paper will ever go unnoticed by teachers or parents again. This is something we talk about now. There were teachers and faith leaders taken out of the game because of their sexual abuse, but only after you took Jacob. Victims feel more able to come forward. Justice happens more and more when they do. It is a different world, post-Jacob, I mean it still happens. But hopefully not as much and hopefully there is more help when it does happen and hopefully people don’t feel like their only option is silence or perpetrating the abuse.

I would imagine you felt really powerless, as a child. I would imagine that your actions as an adult were about getting power back: having power over the terrified boys, having the power of surprise as you laid in wait, having the physical strength to outrun them and overpower them and scaring them into doing what you wanted…

I propose to you that that isn’t real power, what you felt when you attacked those boys and when you took Jacob. It was fake. It was a temporary feeling of adrenalin, and I’ll bet your actions made you feel worse in the end. Do you know what I think real power is? Real power is the ability to heal and transform yourself. Do you know who has real power? Your victims, the ones who were able to take what had happened to them and work with it and make their lives better not just despite it, but because of it, like what the Wetterlings did, and like what Jared did. Those are people who are truly powerful, my friend. Take a look at them if you want to learn about power.

There is no doubt that you are powerful, even though I believe your actions hurt you most of all. Look at what you have created. You took Jacob and the entire community changed. Even 25 years after the fact, your actions were so powerful that Joy created this blog and people are talking and thinking about it still. Maybe your taking Jacob was a cry for help, even if not a conscious one, help for you and people like you, and look: what you did had the consequence, in a twisted way, of helping.

But you yourself still need help. There are people who can help you, but they can’t help you if they don’t know who you are.

You are probably an old man by now, but it is not too late for you to experience true power. You are the one who took Jacob, you can bring him back. You can talk to the Wetterlings, and tell them what happened to their son. Tell them where he his. If he is dead you can’t bring him back, but you can bring him home. Speak. It will transform your life. It will be a kind of redemption for you, but I believe it is the only way. You have the power to do it; you are the only one who does. Save yourself. By speaking, you have the power to heal not only yourself and the Wetterlings and the Paynesville victims and all of us who have been so affected by this case, but I also believe you have the power to heal backwards and forwards in time, so that the healing extends to the people who did this to you, and also to future generations.

That is a lot of power. Use it.

40.  Mindy Cunningham | October 21, 2014 at 3:23 pm

Just wanted to point out that the St Cloud man arrested for pedophile activity at a library last Friday looks an awful lot like the sketch of Jacobs abductor. And he is 66 years old which puts him at about the right age at the time of Jacobs abduction. Might be worth a look at. I think he resembles the sketch an awful lot.

41.  Bill | October 21, 2014 at 3:41 pm

The four blue 4 door cars documented in Paynesville & Cold Spring and at the Rassier Farm & those incidents involving the two boys prior to the Wetterling abduction need to be readdressed. I’m of the firm belief that the perpetrator who chased/scared those two boys before the Wetterling abduction was on the prowl looking for them when he stumbled upon Jacob, Trevor & Aaron.

42.  Debi Gross | October 21, 2014 at 4:44 pm

Yes!! I was thinking just like Mindy – St. Cloud Library man has an uncanny resemblance to the sketch of Jacob’s possible abductor? This guy is about the right age too. Just a thought…..

43.  laniedude | October 21, 2014 at 5:11 pm

Lots of great ideas and conversation. I too think our abductor reads this blog. Great job to Joy and all the contributors. Lights still on in Indianapolis.

44.  jacob'sabductorwasdisguised | October 22, 2014 at 7:14 am

The sketch that you guys are talking about is of Jared’s molester. Nobody knows what Jacob’s abductor looks like as he was wearing a mask. The guy picked up from the library does resemble that sketch.

45.  Shane | October 22, 2014 at 12:53 pm

Thanks so much for all your work on this Joy. I truly believe people like you who act on their inherent love and empathy are going to save this planet.

I went through it all from the beginning. From a “fresh eyes” perspective trying to make simple sense of it all, 3 things stand out:

First and foremost is Aaron’s brief mention of hearing a rustle in the ditch on the way to the Tom Thumb. In my experience, those “shiver” intuitions are usually accurate.

Second, the other boy who lived on 91st and his account of being the possible target due to regular trips to the Tom Thumb. It puts together so many of the pieces from the other area abductions, possible planning by the abductor, the rustle in the ditch, asking their ages, strange sightings at the Tom Thumb, and it goes on.

Last, and with great hope, all the area abductions do seem related, and none of them ended in a death. I imagine no matter how messed up our heads get, it would still be very hard to kill a boy. We’re just not wired for it. So I truly keep hope very close with this case and believe Jacob could still be alive, and still be close to home. And I believe in your blog as a very important tool going forward. Thanks again. I’ll be thinking Jacob, always, after going through all this.

46.  Beth | October 22, 2014 at 2:40 pm

I see by looking in the state’s Public Access to court records that this Library perp was charged with trespassing in January 2014 in Stearns county….interesting…whether he’s related to Jacob’s kidnapping or not….this is a guy to watch very, very closely……..

47.  Rick Menashe | October 22, 2014 at 10:25 pm

Rick October 22, 2014 at 7:51 pm

I recently found your blog after watching John Walsh’s “The Hunt” in September 2014. However, I have followed this case with rapt devotion and fascination for several years. Your blog provides a valuable and extremely important service in keeping attention focused on this case and may, in some way, help bring about resolution one day soon.
Like all others, my heart aches for the Wetterling Family and all those close to them. I hope and pray that this horrific ordeal they have experienced for the past 25 years will shortly offer some form of “closure”. I am the father of two young boys and I also agree, like so many, that the 6 billboards put up in and around Minneapolis should be utilized in other states as well. Not just neighboring states but in states across the country, as in my state of Oregon. As Jessica Muhlenberg was rushed from Wisconsin to Texas, so too may Jacob have been shepherd out of Minnesota early on or at some point.
Bless you Joy for all you do. The light is on in Portland.

48.  Tom | October 22, 2014 at 11:57 pm

Joy, thank you for your great post about the 25th anniversary of Jacob’s abduction. Between your blog, the John Walsh documentary, and now the anniversary, Jacob’s case has a sudden jolt of momentum and I hope we can maintain it until the case is solved. The combination of Jared’s abduction and the Paynesville cases represent the best leads this case has ever had.

I really hope the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department will swallow their pride and allow outside investigators to review the case. In no way am I accusing them of incompetence, and I commend them for the amount of attention they’ve given Jacob’s case. When Sheriff Sanner says the case is active and they continue to follow leads when they get them, I believe him.

However, the time has come for a fresh set of eyes to look at the case. That’s what happened in the case of Adam Walsh, and they were able to solve the case after years of mystery and unanswered questions. I see no harm in allowing a similar outside investigation of the Wetterling case. Maybe someone else can bring an outsider’s perspective that offers new theories that may ultimately lead to the resolution of this case.

49.  Pod | October 23, 2014 at 2:37 pm

Speaking from an I.T. persons perspective, commonplace recreational computer use is fairly generational in my experience. If the individual who kidnapped Jacob was in his late thirties or early forties at the time of the kidnapping he’s pushing retirement age now if he’s still alive. In other words he’s pretty old for someone to get into the now common “computer use as a hobby” but it is likely he would have googled for information on this at least once. I’d like to thank Joy for putting this blog up because it sure seems that local law enforcement possibly overlooked multiple clues, another local resident potentially destroyed critical evidence inadvertently by driving over it, and the fact that there were multiple potential perpetrators that no one was aware of at the time (the halfway house for predators that even law enforcement didn’t know about among others) makes me think they really do need to get outside eyes on this situation. The other sad thing is some people either knew something, encountered someone that radiated strong creepy vibes or suspected something for literally decades without saying anything (either out of fear or ‘how can what I know help?’). Perhaps with a change in leadership of the local constabulary things might change. But so much time has passed. We need answers sooner rather than later.

50.  Cathy Meyer | October 23, 2014 at 6:23 pm

To Joy,
I thought of this little lost soul so much this week. I remember the news when he was abducted. I remember his picture at the American Airlines gate at O’Hare in 1996. I had a 3 year old son and it started to make me very nervous. This abduction along with Adam Walsh being taken from Sears opened my eyes. I once had let my sister’s girls hang out in the toy aisle of the supermarket while I shopped. I once considered taking a ride from a man at the gas station when at college, I ran out of gas. Another man, hearing our conversation shook his head at me as if to say smarten up and I did. I think he was my angel that night and I will never forget him.

My two cents on this is the conditions of the 1 mile bike ride. I took a Google trip from the Wetterling home down 16th Ave to the area of the store. The trip frightened me. Still today, there is that long stretch of road that is without light. The friend years later said that he thought he had heard something at the spot. Don’t you think someone was waiting for them to return back down the road? To have a weapon, a black mask ready and a car parked in less than 30 minutes. A car parked in the gravel 20 feet or so back might not be seen by any of them. I later read about the halfway homes in the area for sex offenders. I feel if Patty Wetterling and her husband knew of these homes and offenders then there would have been no boys out on bikes at night. The Paynesville crimes happened in the daytime? Such a waste of vital information to not have tied the two together 25 years ago. I am glad you are interested in this and working all avenues it seems. Patty Wetterling is the warm involved loving parent every child should have.

Cathy

51.  Donavon Mickelson | October 23, 2014 at 9:26 pm

Right on Tom. That is what is needed as too much is being missed that they don’t see themselves. Push for it.

52.  Dave K | October 26, 2014 at 1:28 am

I’d like to throw out something for consideration.

At this point, I really think that something that is really worth considering concerning the possibility of actually closing the case on Jacob Wetterling’s abduction. I think, as do quite a few others that the several attacks on young boys in Paynesville in earlier years, along with the attack on Jared in Jan ’89 are Very, if not Extremely Likely to have been perpetrated by the same person who abducted Jacob. I would add to that, that, even if they were not, then they were separate attacks which in themselves should be resolved. So, frankly, either way you look at it; the crimes in Paynesville are worth paying significant attention to.

My thinking is that, Jacob’s case has been opened as we all know now, just over 25 years; and has been the subject of the Largest Investigation in History for the State of Minnesota. The investigation has included the FBI as well as State, Local and probably Every Level of Authority that could and/or has ever possibly be involved in any investigation. The FBI was involved from the beginning. Still Unsolved. Are we any closer now? If we are, no one knows! You could say that if it’s solved 15 years from now, that, Yes, we are closer to that, than we/they were 25 years ago (chronologically). But, again, No One Knows. That’s kind of a lengthy/wordy way to just Emphasize the Point.

I believe that the most likely route to closure of Jacob’s case, is to treat the attacks in Paynesville and Jared’s attack just as seriously, and with as much attention and effort as they are giving to Jacob’s case.

Again, the likelihood that they’re perpetrated by the same person is quite high. From what I’ve been able to gather, having followed this case for just about 2 months now (since the airing of Jacob’s case on “The Hunt” on CNN) I am not certain just what the specific number of attacks in Paynesville is; and it kind of looks like, maybe no one, at least no one online, is certain either. Well, if they open the Paynesville cases, there’s at least five, and likely more. I would like to see LE gather all possible information, I repeat and emphasize, All Possible Information on the known cases from Paynesville. In fact, if they do this, they may well find that there are other cases that had never even been reported at the time that they happened, that someone will be interested and willing to come forward now and give information on, now that they know that the cases are being looked at and being taken seriously. There’s a lot more information available to LE, in researching all the circumstances involved in the numerous cases from Paynesville. Whether the victims of those crimes, may not want to come forward publically, I would expect that they would be willing to speak with authorities, if they felt that the case(s) were going to be taken seriously, and also because they’d be willing to help out in the cases of Jacob and Jared. At least most of them.

This would give investigators a lot more to go by in piecing together this guy’s movements, his habits, mannerisms, vocabulary, how he dresses; get further input on the existing composite sketch; there maybe something that someone could add, such as the guy’s complexion, his hair or who knows what else. True he wore a mask in many of those attacks, but, as I understand, not all of them; and maybe in some cases he wore a mask to cover his face but not his hair, maybe they could find something notable about his hair. For, instance, maybe he’s redhead and Jared never noticed, because he was wearing his hat the whole time. I don’t think that’s too likely, I suppose that Jared would have noticed that, but, I’m just using that as an example, maybe he has thick curly hair, who knows. I would interview each victim asking for Any & Every Possible Things they can remember; anything he said, how he dressed, his shoes, his belt; possibly victims family members may remember something that the victim shared with them at the time that the victim doesn’t seem to remember currently. In other words; Absolutely Any Information that can be gathered. Day, Time, Location of Attacks; and compile all this information, and also, I’d like to see that information shared with the public (minus victim’s names) and see whether something comes to light that helps identify this guy. There could well be some clue in the most seemingly insignificant of things that the guy said at any point in time; possibly something that could give a hint as to where he works, or what general field of occupation he’s in. Anything can help, and the more minutia gathered about the individual, the better. By Far!

As we all know, there’s very little to go by in the case of Jacob, which is pretty likely why it’s been unsolved.

53.  Debbie Johnson | October 26, 2014 at 11:17 pm

Dave K., I so agree with you. These Victims may be holding a mountain of information, especially, if all their recollections are collected and compared. (Example: If he wore a T-shirt, did it have a pocket or not? Was anything in the pocket?) It just boggles my mind that it has taken over two decades to give credence to these Victims.

54.  Dave K | November 3, 2014 at 3:06 am

Thank you Debbie J. for the comment. And, I also agree with you. I believe there are numerous possible leads that could/would come from following through on all the possibly related events. I also would kind of like to recommend a kind of “Brainstorming” session, or sessions, with known survivors. Hard to say what may come up; one comment from one individual, could well spark a memory from another that they simply had not put much thought into for some time now.

It’s not my place to say whether the individuals concerned would or should be interested or willing to become involved, but, it’s worth looking into; and, it’s possible with the understand that the circumstances may well be related to the abduction of Jacob, that they may well want to take that into consideration. And, as you mentioned, these folks are all victims themselves, and it would really be good to be able to get some resolution for them. It’s my understanding, from Joy’s Blog here, that Jared is pretty much trying to get whatever information, inclusion from the other witnesses that he can. I want to voice all support to Jared and thanks for his involvement.

The type of shirt, pants, belt, shoes, etc that he wore, could give some kind of indication that no one has thought of before now. Or, something they saw in his car. One other thing that occurred to me, after I posted the previous comment. While he was wearing the ball cap when Jared saw him; it’s my understanding, he sometimes wore a mask, but, I don’t know whether it necessarily covered his head. And, I’m somewhat assuming that when the one, I believe, the first guy saw him, when the guy asked if he wanted to go to Toyland, I’m assuming, he had no mask then, don’t know about a ball cap. But, just one possibility. Say, his hair had been seen by others, regardless of whether he had a mask or not. That could be quite significant. One thing that occurred to me, is that; over the years, I’ve noticed more than a few, several personal friends who once their hair starts thinning on top, to some extent, they develop a habit of wearing ball caps; even at work, even in the bar or coffee shop where they hang out. I’ve had friends, that I almost never see without their ball caps. If this guy was ‘thinning’ on top, and to any extent, then that could be significant; especially in excluding other possible perpetrators. And, if he was thinning then, then, it was probably more notable in following years. Just possibilities. Again, thanks for the comment.

55.  Dave K | November 15, 2014 at 4:24 pm

Awesome comment Jared! And, very welcomed… really good to know you’re around!

56.  Julie Tremp | November 16, 2014 at 1:14 am

Thanks for sharing Jared! I know everyone who’s shared their opinions, ideas, and information have been giving their hearts to the Wetterling family.

It’s great to see so many caring people, and I hope and pray that the new leads finally help towards getting some answers.

57.  Debbie Johnson | November 16, 2014 at 11:44 pm

Thank you Jared.

58.  Dave K | December 2, 2014 at 10:38 am

I’d like to offer some thoughts on a couple of things which may be complete coincidence, or may not. Also, some of the possible considerations, in the case that the events are not coincidental.

For the most part, these are things that have been mentioned previously, but, I want to try to put a few things together into some context.

For what it’s worth, I’m not totally dedicated to this concept. In other words, I’m also open to the possibility of the circumstances being completely coincidental.

Jared was abducted (then let go), in Cold Spring, on his way home from Ice Skating; at a public park.

Jacob had been with his Dad at an Ice Skating event in St Cloud the day of his abduction; which is when his Dad got the really sick feeling, when he couldn’t spot Jacob for just a short period.

Here’s a quote from a paragraph, from an article on the subject from: http://saintautumn.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/the-jacob-wetterling-abduction/

“There were about 20 spectators. Suddenly, Jacob slipped out of sight and Jerry was walloped by something very strange “I felt a tremendous surge of fear and danger,” he recalls. “It was all aimed at Jacob. I stopped and looked at the people in the stands and at the kids on the ice. I was frantic until I spotted Jacob and knew he was okay. It was an overpowering moment.” Nothing like this has happened to Jerry before or since. In the absence of other clues, the Wetterlings will forever wonder if the abductor was at the ice rink, spotted Jacob, took a liking to him and followed them home.”

The fact of both Jared and Jacob having been ice skating earlier in the day of their abduction; could be considered quite a coincidence. And, it may be just that; but, if not, then it could be something to look at.

Here’s a quote from Joy’s Blog about one of the Paynesville victims. “Victim #3 was attacked while he and his friend were riding their bikes just after midnight near the hockey rink at the Catholic church. The boy thought he heard someone running into the street when suddenly, someone grabbed him by the throat and pulled him off his bike. The boy screamed while his friend went for help. This time the man was wearing dark blue or black clothing and his face was blacked-out. The boy continued to yell, and finally the man let him go and ran away. (NOTE, there are two very important details about this attack. First, this victim is the same person as Victim #1. It turns out he was attacked twice. Second, the victim felt he was not the intended target for this second attack because he lived six blocks away, but his friend lived in an apartment just kiddie-corner from the Catholic church. The friend is 100% certain the guy got the wrong kid, and that’s why he was let go.)”

It may be complete coincidence that this location was near a hockey rink. But, especially since the young man almost snatched and his friend, think that the boy who lived in the area was the actual target; it would be curious to know whether the young boy who lived in the area, was also known to skate at that hockey rink; where he could have been scouted by the predator.

For me, what comes to mind is a pedophile predator who occasionally visits various ice skating events for the sake of scouting young men (boys) ice skating. It may just be the kind of event that this particular individual finds comfortable for himself to be scouting young boys, without seeming suspicious. I can think of a few reasons why this type of atmosphere could be attractive to someone of that nature; where as in other circumstances showing up at events involving young boys, might seem somewhat suspicious. For instance; he doesn’t have a kid in the game.

Consider this; there has been quite a bit made as to how/why the perpetrator chose Jacob of the three kids that were together at that time –

Jacob was wearing a red sports type jacket that had “St Cloud Hockey” on the back of it.

Following that, I’d like to go a little further on considering that this guy was in fact a pedophile stalker.

In Jared’s case, the guy asked him for directions to a house which was very near where Jared lived. It seems that it would be a good possibility that this guy knew that, and that, he was hoping/expecting Jared to say “sure, I live right by there, I’m going that way, I’ll show you right where it is” in which case, the individual wouldn’t have had to coax or do anything extraordinary to get Jared in his car. Much less risky for him, for that reason. When he determined that Jared was not going to do that, and that Jared would just tell him which way to go, then, he felt he had to step out and physically put Jared into the car.

One thing that would be good to know about this, would be, whether Jared and his friends walked to the cafe that they stopped at after skating, or if some of the kids parents drove them from the park to the cafe. Even if they were taken to the cafe by car, I don’t think that would necessarily rule out that Jared had been stalked from the park that day; but, it does seem like, if they had walked from the park to the cafe, then the predator would have had an easy time, following from the park.

It also seems in line with this guy being a stalker in the case of the young boy who lived in the downtown area in what appears to be an apartment located above a storefront. this young guy was returning home from having walked a friend home and when he walked in the door, by a storefront, the attacker was waiting for him on the steps, with a mask on.

I can’t think of any circumstances where an attacker like this, would go out into public, and just go into a random door near a storefront, in a downtown area, with a mask, and hope that maybe some young kid will come along; and be by himself. It seems that he had to have had some way of knowing that that kid lived there, and however he knew, he had reason to expect that kid to be showing up around the time that he did. Think of it; he wouldn’t just go into any random doorway, in a downtown area, with a mask on. Or, what if he had gone to this location, with his mask, and an adult had come through the door; how would he explain himself? It seems that somehow, he had a way of knowing that this particular young man would be coming through the door, within a relatively specific time frame.

So, it seems at least possible that the guy knew who Jared was and where he lived. Also, that he seemed to have known something about the young boy who was accosted in the stairway of a downtown building. Whether he had been familiar with Jacob, from any previous events where he followed him home or anything; hard to say. It seems to me that these are all possibilities. At least something for consideration.