Jake Patterson’s Father: ‘All I Care About’ Is Jayme’s Family

Authorities Deciding What To Do With $50K Reward For Information On Jayme Closs

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Jake Thomas Patterson
Jake Thomas Patterson makes his first appearance on video before Judge James Babler at the Barron County Justice Center in Barron, Wis., Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. Adam Wesley/The Post-Crescent via AP

The father of a Wisconsin man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl and killing her parents says he cares about the girl’s family.

CNN reports 21-year-old Jake Patterson’s father, Patrick Patterson, visited the Barron County Justice Center on Tuesday, saying he wanted to pass a note to Jayme Closs’ family.

Patterson’s son, Jake, is charged with abducting the girl after killing her parents, James and Denise Closs, in October, just days after he first spotted her getting on a school bus near her home.

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CNN reports Patrick Patterson was on the verge of tears and said he couldn’t talk. He did say: “All I care about right now is Jayme’s family.”

Patterson was charged Monday with two counts of intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping and one count of armed burglary. Prosecutors say more charges could come later.

Jayme’s grandfather, Robert Naiberg, said on Wednesday he appreciates the gesture.

“You can’t blame the parents” for what their children do, Naiberg said.

Patterson’s grandfather said his grandson was “quiet and shy.”

Jim Moyer told ABC News on Tuesday that his grandson is a “nice boy, polite” who often “backed off from crowds.”

Moyer said that for Patterson, “computer games were more of a priority than social interaction.” Moyer said Patterson’s family is “absolutely heartbroken.”

What To Do With $50K Award

Authorities are deciding what to do with the $50,000 reward for information about Jayme Closs.

Milwaukee FBI spokesman Leonard Peace said Tuesday the reward remains under review. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said the reward is being discussed with the FBI and will be determined later.

The FBI offered a $25,000 reward on Oct. 24 for information about Jayme’s whereabouts. The Jennie-O Turkey Store, where James and Denise Closs worked, later doubled the amount to $50,000.

Jayme was discovered Thursday by a woman walking her dog near the Town of Gordon, 60 miles north from her hometown of Barron. The woman, Jeanne Nutter, took Jayme to the home of Peter and Kristin Kasinskas, who called 911.

Peter Kasinskas said Tuesday the couple doesn’t want the reward. He said if anyone gets it, Jayme should because “She got herself out.”