Jayme Closs’s Alleged Kidnapper Makes First In-Person Court Appearance

Jake Patterson, the Wisconsin man accused of kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs after killing her parents, made his first in-person court appearance on Wednesday in Barron County Circuit Court.

Patterson, 21, did not enter any plea but he did waive his preliminary hearing before Barron County Circuit Judge James C. Babler. By doing so, this means that there is enough evidence for a case to go forward.

Patterson is scheduled to return to court for his arraignment hearing on March 27.

He has been charged with two counts of first-degree homicide and one count each of kidnapping and armed burglary stemming from the Oct. 15 attack on the Closs home during which he allegedly gunned down Jayme Closs’ parents, James and Denise Closs, before abducting and holding Jayme hostage for nearly three months. He allegedly decided to kidnap her after he spotted her for the first time getting onto a school bus. During the time he allegedly held the girl hostage in his cabin in rural Douglas County, he forced her to stay under a bed when he had people over.

Jayme escaped on Jan. 10 after 88 days in captivity and flagged down a woman for help. She was able to provide a description of the car Patterson was driving, and he was arrested shortly thereafter.

Patterson’s father was at Wednesday’s hearing, and he reportedly told one journalist to “pray for Jayme’s family.” He has made similar remarks in the past. The father and others left the courtroom with a police escort.

Patterson’s first court appearance was on Jan. 14 via video from the county jail.

[Photo: Barron County Sheriff’s Department]