The father of the man accused of kidnapping Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs and killing her parents says he’s heartbroken for the 13-year-old and is struggling to come to terms with the crime.
“My words can mean nothing after such a tragedy has taken place,” Patrick Patterson told ABC’s “Good Morning America” in an interview that aired Thursday. “I most definitely want Jayme’s family to know, everyone to know, that our hearts are broken for their family.”
Patterson’s 21-year-old son Jake allegedly abducted Jayme from her home in rural Barron after gunning down her parents on Oct. 15. She was held captive at the cheese factory worker’s home until she made a daring escape Jan. 10, authorities said.
“I’m very sorry for everything that has happened,” Patrick Patterson said. “These words come directly from my heart and my family’s heart.”
He added: “I wish for a complete healing of Jayme’s mind, heart and soul.”
Jake Patterson, who is being held on a $5 million cash-only bond, is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping and one count of armed burglary.
On Wednesday, he made an appearance in Barron County Circuit Court, where he waived his right to a preliminary hearing. His arraignment was set for March 27.
The failed Marine wannabe has confessed to investigators that he targeted the young girl after seeing her board a school bus and created a space under his bed for her in his home.
When he would leave the house, he’d place barbells and free weights around the bed so she couldn’t escape, according to the complaint.
Jayme told police that Patterson “would make her stay under the bed for up to 12 hours at a time with no food, water or bathroom breaks,” the complaint said.
“I would like to thank the federal, local and state authorities for their professional and respectful way in which they have treated me and my family,” Patrick Patterson told ABC News.
“I would also like to thank the media for the way in which they’ve been patient and understanding with this difficult matter. It has been a very difficult time for us.”
Jake Patterson’s maternal grandfather, Jim Moyer, has described his grandson as “shy and quiet” but a “nice boy, polite.”
“Nobody had any clues until this thing happened,” Moyer told ABC News last month. “I can’t fathom anything in his life that could change him so drastically. It has to be some kind of a twist in the mindset.”