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John Walsh and Jared on WCCO Radio
John Walsh and Jared on WCCO Radio
Posted by joy.the.curious on Sep 5, 2014 in Jacob | 12 comments
Once again, thanks to everyone who has been following this story, and for those who have taken the time to either leave a comment or send a private message on my blog. The overwhelming response to Jacob’s story on CNN’s The Hunt with John Walsh last Sunday is a true testament to the number of people who still care very deeply about this case, and for the Wetterling family.
I hope everyone had a chance to read Patty’s article that she wrote for CNN, “Five questions for my son’s abductor.” I read it as I was getting ready to leave work last Friday, and I ended up having to wear my sunglasses out of the office because I couldn’t stop the tears. (Never mind the fact it was raining… lots of weird looks.)
As I’ve gotten to know Patty over the past year, I can tell you that she is truly amazing. She’s the current Board Chair of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Director of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Sexual Violence Prevention Program. However, I can tell you that she is also kind, compassionate, and gracious. I am lucky to know her… she is a true American hero. Yet, at the end of the day, she is a mom, just like me, who has suffered a terrible, incomprehensible loss. She has never stopped searching for her son, never stopped fighting for answers, and never lost hope that someday the answers would come.
Today, Esme Murphy of News Radio WCCO 830 interviewed John Walsh from “The Hunt,” and Jared, the 12 year old boy from Cold Spring who was abducted just nine months prior to Jacob. Tips continue to come in, and, according to Walsh, the key to cracking this case will be for local law enforcement to collaborate with outside agencies to bring fresh eyes to the case.
Again, if anyone has a tip on Jacob’s case, Jared’s case, or the 1986-1989 Paynesville incidents, please call 1-866-THE-HUNT, 1-800-THE-LOST, or the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office (320) 259-3700. Thanks for caring and getting involved!
Listen to Esme Murphy’s radio interview with John Walsh and Jared
Next time
Jennifer’s story
12 Comments
tami | September 5, 2014 at 8:37 pm
I was so glad to see Jacob’s story on The Hunt the other night. I have always remembered him and his story and thought about him often. I was just a year younger than him when he went missing. Jacob is still very much cared for. I hope someone comes forward with some real answers soon. My thoughts and prayers are with the Wetterling family as always.
Donavon Mickelson | September 6, 2014 at 1:54 am
There were many things overlooked or not followed up in this case from the very start. John Walsh said it right when so much of the details were covered up so the case is harder to solve. His son’s case was 27 years old before they shared info with great investigators. Does the Wetterling family want to wait until they pass on before others know what really happened to Jacob? I am a 31 year veteran of a Police Dept. and would like to discuss issues I have with this case and what I might know that might help solve it. I have followed this case since it happened and have tried to keep up with all aspects of it and would like to voice my opinion on it. I am very disappointed that the Paynesville cases were not looked into better by the Stearns County Sheriffs Dept. immediately after Jacob was abducted. I, myself who lives two and a half hours from St.Joseph, immediately looked into a child kidnapper that we had in our City many years before that when he grabbed one of our 10 year old boys and took him a long way before getting scared and dropping him off where we could find him. I located our kidnapper in a prison in Colorado where he was serving time for sexual abuse of a child 13 and under. I am awaiting a call and hope to be able to assist. I have met Mrs. Wetterling three times; once in the Minnesota Chiefs Conference in the twin cities, once in Madelia and once in Butterfield, Minnesota.
Jenny | September 6, 2014 at 6:18 am
I’m so pleased that new leads have come in and that fresh eyes are looking at the case. Joy and Jared have done so well to bring attention back to it. I hope with all my heart this is when answers will come for the Wetterlings and Jared. Jacob needs to come home. If the abductor reads this, the least you can do is tell the Wetterlings where Jacob is. It could easily be done annonymously.
Mona | September 6, 2014 at 12:42 pm
In reply to Donavon Mickelson’s comment –I totally agree with him —also we lived in the New London Spicer area then and as parents we NEVER got any alerts about so many assaults in the Paynesville area which is only about 20 min. away!!! Uncalled for!
jbrown | September 6, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Jenny, I think you are right. With powerful people behind the investigation like Jared and Patty and the investigation skills of Joy, this case should be solved in no time. Shame on Stearns County for not working together to solve it earlier.
Pamela Brown | September 7, 2014 at 1:35 pm
I appreciate your commitment to solving Jacob’s case. You all have my best wishes, thoughts and prayers. There are answers and they will be found. Of that I am now entirely certain.
Carol Anne Swett | September 7, 2014 at 7:41 pm
I have never forgotten Jacob even tho’ I live in the deep south all my life. As I have watched my own sons grow into men, my prayers have hovered over Patty and her family always hopeful they would find answers. I cannot imagine how they have stayed so strong. My best to you, Joy, as you continue to dig. Thank you for working to help keep the story alive.
Julie Tremp | September 7, 2014 at 9:43 pm
I hope investigators keep an open mind, and I hope they’re looking into the possibility that the perpetrator could live in another state. It gives me hope to see John Walsh, Joy, and others doing what they can do to help in the investigation. I admire Jared’s courage, and his willingness to help also.
My prayers go out to the family of Jacob Wetterling. Patty Wetterling is truly an amazing soul, and I’m in awe of her courage, and the work she’s done. She’s searching for answers about her son, and while dealing with this nightmare, she’s still reaching out to help others.
All to often there’s massive cover-up when it comes to sexual crimes against children. It’s sickens me to hear that things were overlooked/covered up for the purpose of slowing down the investigation. To me, this means those that did this, aided and abetted the perpetrator, and they should be held accountable! This is a child’s life we’re talking about here, and the lives of other children who were victims of this monster! I sincerely hope that the information I contributed is looked at by an outside investigator, and not those who’ve tried to cover this up. I wonder how many people tried to help contribute, only to have it go nowhere because of more cover-up! Sadly, those who some people think would never cover up such crimes, are some of the worst offenders.
It’s going to take a lot of work, and no stone unturned to get down to the bottom of this.
Clarence Dee | September 8, 2014 at 7:48 am
Couldn’t agree with anybody with anymore than has already been said. Hang in there!
Clarence Dee | September 9, 2014 at 11:19 am
Joy: I think you and Jared are doing a superb job and I am pleasantly surprised at the comments and their content. I just really think you are right on the edge of possibly knowing more on this case. Blessings!
Tom | September 9, 2014 at 11:58 am
Great interviews with both men. John Walsh has always been a hero of mine for what he’s done for missing children and criminal justice as a whole. Given what he had to go through with the loss of his son, It would have been easy for him to be consumed with sadness and bitterness and lead a quiet, introverted life. Instead, he has channeled that despair and anger to help revolutionize our criminal justice system. There’s no one else I’d rather have help lead the search for Jacob.
Jared is a hero, too. He also could’ve kept everything inside and attempt to forget what happened to him. He hasn’t. The fact that he has shared his story has not only helped the Wetterling investigation, but has helped provide inspiration to abuse victims worldwide. To call Jared courageous is an understatement.
Even before your research on the Paynesville cases, I always thought Jared’s story was the best and only real tangible lead that the Wetterling investigators had. I’m glad it’s now getting the attention it deserves, as I do think his case is very likely connected to Jacob’s abduction.
Joy, between your blog and the recent episode of “The Hunt”, the Wetterling case has more momentum than it ever has, and I sure hope we can sustain it until we find some answers. I said it before in a previous post, but thank you for all of the attention you’ve given this case.
Pamela Brown | September 10, 2014 at 10:46 am
Good points, Tom and well said.
Perhaps Joy can give us a list of ways that we who are in the background can help to keep Jacob’s story alive and keep this momentum going until answers are found.