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Jayme Closs' Aunt Shares Photo of 13-Year-Old Smiling After They're Finally Reunited

By Kayla Kunkel January 12, 2019 at 11:40am

As Jayme Closs’ family celebrates her safe return, thousands of others across the world are glad that so many prayers have been answered.

Other survivors of kidnapping, similar to Closs’ story, have even expressed how happy they are that the Wisconsin teen’s tragic story ended in such a positive way.

Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped when she was 14 years old for 9 months, wrote on Instagram that she was thrilled that “what has been such a heart wrenching tragedy finally has some happiness in the story.” Katie Beers, another victim of kidnapping in 1992, told Inside Edition that she “had tears of joy” when she heard the news of Closs’ return.

Even the teen’s family has been public about their excitement and relief that she was found alive.

“It’s time to move forward and bring justice for my sister and brother-in-law,” Jennifer Naiberg Smith, Jayme’s aunt, told KMSP-TV. “And we’ll get through this with Jayme together as a big family.”

Closs was released from the hospital on Friday, Jan. 11 and is staying with Smith in Barron, Wisconsin.

A photo shared by Smith showed the joyous reunion; Closs is shown smiling next to her aunt while holding her beloved dog.

“Jayme had a pretty good night sleep it was great to know she was next to me all night what a great feeling to have her home,” Smith wrote on Facebook the next morning after their reunion.

Closs’ family is dedicated to helping the teen feel safe again as they, as a family, grieve the loss of both of Closs’ parents.

“God is good,” Sue Naiberg Allard, Smith’s sister, wrote on Facebook. “Keep praying for our dear girl as we will travel this road together to help heal what has been lost. My sister Denisey-Pooh and Jim. .. we have your baby girl in our arms and may You both now Rest In Peace ❤️❤️we will never forget you.”

Thanks to the teen’s courage to share crucial information with authorities, a suspect has been apprehended and is facing two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the murder of Jayme’s parents and one count of kidnapping. The family is just hoping for justice for the murder on Denise and James Closs.

“Jayme was the hero in the case. Jayme was the champion that finally said enough is enough,” Sheriff Fitzgerald said in a media conference on Friday. “We can’t be more proud of Jayme.”

Our prayers are with Jayme and her family as they celebrate her safe return home, grieve the loss of two family members and find a new sense of normalcy.

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