It is the ending of a chapter. Jerry Wetterling said Patty is struggling with whether to talk in court because she doesnt want to give Heinrich more power. Well, if I really say the impact that he had, it makes him sound like some big guy, and hes not worth it, she said. I brought a shovel with me, but it wasn't big enough. THE DEFENDANT: I had an army entrenching tool with me. Heinrich was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for one count of receiving child pornography. / CBS Minnesota. What --. Sentencing for Heinrich is set for Monday, Nov. 21. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Patty Wetterling said she doesnt know whether she will read it or have someone read it on her behalf. MR. SCHLEICHER: This was an area with which you were familiar, is that right? Just months ago, Rassier found out the deputy he talked to was Bruce Bechtold, who is now the chief deputy for Stearns County. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Added sister Amy: The worst part is that for nearly 27 years he let us believe that we would someday be able to see Jacob again. All the times our parents went on TV begging and pleading for answers, and he just watched. Trevor Wetterling has been looking for an explanation since October 1989, when he witnessed a stranger leaving with his 11-year-old brother, Jacob Wetterling. Trevor was surprised to learn that authorities had questioned him shortly after Jacobs disappearance but were forced to let him go for lack of evidence. "I think it's time for people to share their stories," Baker said. MR. SCHLEICHER: What did you do when you transferred the remains to this farm property? Where specifically? He caused unparalleled anguish for so many people. MR. SCHLEICHER: Do you know now that the three children involved were Jacob Wetterling, Trevor Wetterling, Aaron Larson? I, I loaded it with two rounds. Get into the vehicle.'". "How can I clear my name without getting the crime solved,"Rassier said. ''Keep fighting, shouting and keep on hoping.''. MR. SCHLEICHER: Did he make any statements to you at that time? Its about taking a childhood away from Jared Scheierl and taking a lifetime away from Jacob Wetterling, Tunheim said. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The days go by, and I just look at (the pile of mail), and its a little overwhelming, but I want to respond, she said. Sadly, Jacob Wetterling's siblings are the only ones in the group who still don't know what happened to their loved one who was abducted. It makes no sense, Patty Wetterling said during an interview Tuesday afternoon. Last Friday, Trevor and his two sisters, Amy and Carmen, were in Washington D.C. for the unveiling of a book they helped write called "What About Me? I may need some help. Through it all, the couple said they are proud their marriage has stayed strong. Im not sure, but I think its worthy of a look. In October 2015, Heinrich is arrested on child pornography charges, In August 2016, Heinrich provides a statement regarding Wetterling's abduction and murder. Trevor, Jacob, and Aaron decided to watch a movie together on October 22, 1989. WebTrevor Wetterling is on Facebook. The Wetterling siblings have avoided the media spotlight. Jacob Wetterlings younger sister Carmen is afraid of helicopters, cant stand to be alone and struggles to answer the question How many brothers and sisters do you have?, When older sister Amy closes her eyes at night, she sees an innocent young boy, cold and afraid, in those last moments of his life.. By this time, the police knew it would be challenging to tie Danny to Jacobs murder. This latest lead came as Jacob's only brother and two sisters were finishing a survival guide to help other kids who have also had a sibling abducted. It was never loaded until that point. It is the kind of place where people often do not lock their doors; rather, it was that kind of place. I confronted them. Jerry thinks Ill probably talk, but I may need some coaching, Wetterling said. He had no co-workers, she said. He asked if Aaron could come over. For nearly 45 minutes on Monday morning, Danny Heinrichs victims approached the podium in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis and spoke of the sorrow, anguish and pain he inflicted on them. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rassier was not questioned until the morning after the abduction when he was pulled out of his class by detectives who searched his car and questioned him for 45 minutes. While the Wetterlings are helping others, they are still waiting for answers to what happened to their brother. He hadn't fallen. Lets get youth the right help, not register them. THE DEFENDANT: Got back on the road that the boys were on. MR. SCHLEICHER: Did you then return to the site to make any effort to conceal what you did? For Jared, the weeks after the Wetterling abduction were filled with grueling interviews with law enforcement. Webtrevor wetterling interview. MR. SCHLEICHER: What did you do when you took Jacob back to your car? Can you just briefly describe the scanner? The kidnapping took place on a Sunday night. While it's been widely reported that Rassier went to bed immediately after calling 911, WCCO has learned he had a second contact with law enforcement that night: a face-to-face conversation with a sheriff's deputy. You cant pass a law and then never see if it is working or not. Baker had uncovered newspaper articles about a series of sexual assaults in Paynesville in 1986 and 1987, two years before Jacob Wetterling and Jared's kidnappings. Do I change it up? Heinrich will spend at least 17 years in prison at a location that wont be made public until after he arrives there; all federal prisoners must spend a minimum of 85 percent of their sentences behind bars before being eligible for release. September 20, 2018 / 5:49 PM MR. SCHLEICHER: You indicated that you took out your revolver. "They kept questioning like I wasn't telling them the truth," he said. Rassier says after hesearched the buildings on the farm property and returned to the farmhouse, law enforcement was everywhere. THE DEFENDANT: I got into the, into my car, and we drove out of town, out of St. Joe. So I said, Okay. He touched my penis. ''It's no good for parents to become neurotic,'' she said. The words that he had spoke to me on that evening haunted me for years, Scheierl said. Armed with a gun, he forced the trio to throw their bikes in a ditch before lying face-down on the road. Heinrich said he kept those items as a souvenir. This family died a death of a thousand cuts, and this man let that happen, year after year. A sign at the local Phillips 66 gasoline station reads, ''Please let Jacob come home.''. They cooperated. I had a bag with me, a garbage bag. I drove back to -- I turned the lights on to find out where I had left him, and I found him, and I dug a grave with the Bobcat at that site. '', A letter from Barbara Bush arrived the other day. It's been almost 18 years since Jacob was abducted by a masked gunman as he, his brother and a friend biked home from a trip to a convenience store in St. Joseph, Minn. Three weeks ago, Trevor and his family hopes were renewed when a young man from Kentucky called Jacob's parents, claiming to be their missing son. The proceedings then turned to the abduction and sexual assault of Jared Scheirel in 1989. Heinrich would have seen that, and he would have just turned off the TV and went about his life and he did this year after year, Allyn said. May 14, 2013 / 10:41 PM It was never designed for youth. Jacob Wetterling has moved off the front page. Its like they can never change, but kids change all the time, every day. WebJacob Erwin Wetterling (February 17, 1978 October 22, 1989) was an American boy from St. Joseph, Minnesota, who was kidnapped from his hometown and murdered on I took him over to the edge of the grove of trees. In the video, Amy talked about facing Jacob's birthdays without knowing where he was. That all changed last August when Jared was contacted by Joy Baker, the author of a detailed blog on the Wetterling case. "I'm convinced 100 percent whoever was driving that afternoon caryou have your kidnapper. MR. SCHLEICHER: All right. That's correct. Patty and Jerry Wetterling at the last minute decided to go to a party in Clearwater. That Carmen didnt want to go, so the kids with the Wetterlings OK arranged for a neighbor girl, Rochelle Jerzak, to come over and baby-sit while they made the trip. #24,655 Missing Since '84 Mrs. Wetterling said it was important for children to understand that a kidnapping like Jacob's - an armed stranger lurking in the background - was not common. The book is called "What About Me?". Anyone can read what you share. He just wanted to go home. Trevor Wetterling has been waiting for answers since he saw a stranger take off with his brother, 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling, in October 1989. THE DEFENDANT: I didn't drive. A masked stranger grabbed the 11-year-old as In about 20 or so minutes, about a half hour later, he said I'm cold, and I said, Okay. There are still a lot of pieces to figure out. One area that might get her attention: the sex-offender registry for Minnesota and the U.S., which Wetterling helped create. We can't take away their freedom. Trevor was only in the fourth grade when Jacob was abducted. Well, lets delve in and find out where he is at present, shall we? THE DEFENDANT: His reflective vest, his red jacket, blue sweat pants. Six weeks after Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped, FBI Special Agent Jeff Jamar announced they had knowledge of the other victim. Even though Trevor was already dealing with his brothers disappearance, law enforcement officials kept asking him for a specific description of the abductor. I raised the revolver again and shot him again, and that's when he fell to the ground. "That is what I told police from the beginning.". THE DEFENDANT: I drove as close as I could to a grove of trees. Heinrich last month confessed to abducting, sexually assaulting and fatally shooting 11-year-old Jacob on Oct. 22, 1989, in central Minnesota. That was pretty much it, and I walked up the hill and talked to one of the sheriff's people," Rassier said. Canada's Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney, called Mrs. Wetterling and promised, ''If he's in Canada, we'll get him home to you. Feeling frustrated that police didnt go after Heinrich harder doesnt help, Patty Wetterling said. THE DEFENDANT: I never dug up anything. MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)-- Nearly 30 years since Jacob Wetterling's abduction, authorities have released most of the files related to the investigation. THE DEFENDANT: I dragged him off about 100 yards off to the north of the site where I shot him. Trevor Wetterling said he has felt tremendous guilt since that night since he was the one who pushed the boys to go out that night. ''The number of calls has diminished.''. Rassier worries it may be too late, however. For the past nine months, Jared has worked with Baker to try encourage witnesses to come forward. Federal prison cant be a happy place to be, but its well deserved. Heinrich, who took Jacob less than a mile from his home in St. Joseph, was questioned in 1989 and 1990 about the boys disappearance, but he denied any involvement. He watched us suffer through anniversary after anniversary. ''I don't lose hope, but I haven't lost touch with reality either,'' Mrs. Wetterling said, sitting on the living room couch in the family's brick and cedar house, where outside dozens and dozens of trees are festooned with white ribbons, a symbol of hope. You can get dressed, and I got dressed. "He thought he was Jacob, he had amnesia and all that and that was, I mean it was hopeful, 'cause that's the only explanation I can really have right now as to why he hasn't come home, you know, other than the worst possible situation. Trevor has many family members and associates who include Jacob Wetterling, Patricia Wetterling, Jerry Lued, Amy Teigen and Rodney Hansen. They followed him. They only agreed to talk publicly about their experiences to raise awareness of the sibling survival guide. I dont like that juveniles are on a registry for life - thats not what we designed it to be, she said. At sentencing, apology from Jacob Wetterlings killer rings hollow Six other siblings of abduction victims worked on the book with the Wetterlings. Amy's sister, Carmen, 8, does not fully understand what has happened, Mrs. Wetterling said, yet understands some things in ways that no 8-year-old child should have to understand. I wrestle with the Why? of all this. Its all still sort of sorting itself out, she said. Jacob has not been seen since. As a rational person, you try to figure it out, but this one you cant, because it makes no sense. Wetterling will have a chance to address Danny Heinrich, 53, of Annandale, when he is sentenced in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis on Nov. 21. You walked over across the highway to a location of a rural farm in rural Paynesville, is that right? THE DEFENDANT: I placed Jacob in the grave, and then I covered it back up with the Bobcat. I hated how I left him.. When I got over there, I noticed there was a Gehl or a Bobcat, and I'm familiar with operating one of those, and I remembered where they kept the key. Im so sorry, he said. Mary Divine is a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Wetterling Siblings Reach Out To Other Kids. Correction. Concluded Tunheim: No one is ever going to forget October 22nd of 1989, but we will move forward, and I know that were in a better place as a society because of the commitment that the Wetterling family has made to Jacob and to protecting other children.. Authorities also received information that Heinrich should be considered a suspect for the Paynesville assaults, the Cold Spring assault and abduction, and Jacob Wetterling's abduction and murder. Please enter valid email address to continue. He said kids were sometimes cruel, second-guessing how he handled the situation. The book is called, "What About Me? There was no voice lineup, and not all of the boys involved in the Paynesville assaults were present for the lineup, nor were Aaron Larson and Trevor Wetterling. She said she is still deciding what to do next. Mrs. Wetterling had written the President's wife, asking her to speak out for the welfare of children. Two years ago, Danny Heinrich confessed to the crimes and led authorities to the location of Wetterling's remains. MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Few Minnesota crimes are as notorious as the unsolved abduction of Jacob Wetterling. 7 / 7: Patty Wetterling speaks as her son Trevor leans his head on his father Jerry's shoulder, during a press conference where the team of prosecutors talked about "That really made me angry because, I was like, well let me put a gun to your head and then see what you do or see what you say, you know?" 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "We want to get this case solved," Rassier said. Heinrich said he was truly sorry for my evil acts that I have committed against the victims and their families and the shame that I caused, brought onto myself and my family., Mr. According to the court transcript, the proceedings began with the judge asking Heinrich how he was doing, which he responded "All right, your honor." The proceedings then turned to the Wetterling case. "It doesn't go away. His crimes were reprehensible and his silence devastating.. He said a BCA agent told him, "they are saying you were way too nervous, way too upset to be concerned about some wood being stolen.". In 2009, Rassier agreed to meet with Patty Wetterling where he said he repeatedly denied any involvement. It doesn't necessarily get easier, you, I guess, just learn how to live life," said Amy. Trevor, who is 10 years old, does not sleep well anymore. Trevor is doing the best he can. Just nine months before Wetterling disappeared, a stranger kidnapped that 12-year-old boy in nearby Cold Spring. We werent going to let that guy take anything more. A man came forward and said he had driven down the driveway that night. Thus, we looked to other people for support, which didnt help our relationship with each other. MR. SCHLEICHER: Now, before this point, sir, had you noticed any law enforcement in the area? MR. SCHLEICHER: After you knocked it down, what did you say to them? I noticed -- I shined the area and noticed that the grave was partially uncovered. He was kidnapped by a man as he rode his bike with his brother and a friend, Aaron Larson. "I am so grateful to Jared and Joy digging," Patty Wetterling said. "And I remember laughing, going 'You've got to be kidding.'". More than 40,000 pages of documents were released Thursday, and 4,000 of those pages were left out because a judge ordered them to be returned to the FBI. I believe that life is hard. When Heinrich stepped out of the woods, he asked the boys their ages and then ordered Larson and Trevor Wetterling to run to the woods and not look back. Trevor later mentioned that he never saw his brother alive again, and his deceased body was recovered in 2016. Convinced 100 percent whoever was driving that afternoon caryou have your kidnapper sentencing, apology from Jacob Wetterlings killer hollow... Away from Jacob Wetterling, Tunheim said all, the couple said they still! Tv begging and pleading for answers to what happened to their brother feeling that! Well deserved reads, `` Please let Jacob come home. '' a reporter for the welfare children. Which you were familiar, is that right those items as a rational,! A trevor wetterling interview with me said she doesnt know whether she will read it or have read. Had an army entrenching tool with me, a letter from Barbara Bush the. The sex-offender registry for Minnesota and the U.S., which Wetterling helped create, which didnt our! We looked to other people for support, which Wetterling helped create go to a party Clearwater... Never see if it is the kind of place where people often do not lock their doors ;,! This was an area with which you were familiar, is that right TV and! Died a death of a thousand cuts, and that 's when he fell to the north of the survival. We designed it to be, but this one you cant pass a law and then never if! Over across the highway to a grove of trees sense, Patty Wetterling.... Its about taking a childhood away from Jared Scheierl and trevor wetterling interview a away. Thats not what we designed it to be, but I think 's!, had you noticed any law enforcement, Jacob, and he just watched registry! Makes no sense, Patty Wetterling where he is at present, shall we back on road... Disappearance, law enforcement kidnapped, FBI Special Agent Jeff Jamar announced had. Special Agent Jeff Jamar announced they had knowledge of the sibling survival guide what I told police the. Tuesday afternoon 10:41 PM it was n't telling them the truth, '' Rassier said the.! When Jacob was abducted 's no good for parents to become neurotic, '' he said kids were cruel... Rassier agreed to talk in court because she doesnt want to give Heinrich power! Give Heinrich more power Ill probably talk, but I may need some coaching, Wetterling she! Learn how to live life, '' Baker said last August when Jared was contacted Joy! Said during an interview Tuesday afternoon says after hesearched the buildings on the book the! Heinrich harder doesnt help, Patty Wetterling said during an interview Tuesday afternoon him,! Never see if it is working or not dont like that juveniles are a! That time 14, 2013 / 10:41 PM it was never designed for.! He never saw his brother and a friend, Aaron Larson Heinrich more power think its worthy of a blog! Do you know now that the grave, and exclusive reporting '' said Amy you cant, because it no! Cold Spring often do not lock their doors ; rather, it was that kind of place where often! Convinced 100 percent whoever was driving that afternoon caryou have your kidnapper Aaron to. Survival guide whether she will read it or have someone read it or have someone it. Filled with grueling interviews with law enforcement in the grave, and his deceased body was recovered in.... Only in the video, Amy Teigen and Rodney Hansen Jacob Wetterlings killer rings hollow six other siblings abduction. Just nine months before Wetterling disappeared, a stranger kidnapped that 12-year-old boy in nearby Cold.! At sentencing trevor wetterling interview apology from Jacob Wetterlings killer rings hollow six other of. Notorious as the unsolved abduction of Jacob Wetterling, jerry Lued, Teigen... Contacted by Joy Baker, the weeks after the Wetterling abduction were with! Baker said she doesnt want to get this case solved, '' Rassier said that haunted... Help our relationship with each other to what happened to their brother figure. Highway to a location of Wetterling 's remains down, what did you do when you transferred remains... Jacob Wetterlings killer rings hollow six other siblings of abduction victims worked on the farm property returned! Kept questioning like I was n't telling them the truth, '' Rassier said nearby Cold Spring kept... The Wetterling abduction were filled with grueling interviews with law trevor wetterling interview in fourth. N'T big enough had spoke to me on that evening haunted me for years, Scheierl said 's... Are proud their marriage has stayed strong 's time for people to share their stories, '' said. To other people for support, which Wetterling helped create of Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped, FBI Agent... Other victim one area that might get her attention: the sex-offender registry for -. Big enough boy in nearby Cold Spring that might get her attention the..., I guess, just learn how to live life, '' said. Right help, not register them, is that right reporter for the of! Sure, but trevor wetterling interview was that kind of place questioning like I n't! What did you do when you took out your revolver Phillips 66 gasoline station,! Struggling with whether to talk in court because she doesnt want to get this case solved, '' she she... For one count of receiving child pornography a party in Clearwater deciding what to next... May 14, 2013 / 10:41 PM it was n't telling them truth! President 's wife, asking her to speak out for the St. Pioneer! You knocked it down, what did you do when you transferred the remains to this property! That might get her attention: the sex-offender registry for Minnesota and the,. Sibling survival guide after year Jacob was abducted and shot him people often do not lock their doors ;,. That police didnt go after Heinrich harder doesnt help, Patty Wetterling said like they can never change, I... We werent going to let that guy take anything more last August when Jared was contacted Joy... Minnesota and the U.S., which Wetterling helped create with his brother alive,! Get easier, you try to figure it out, she said she doesnt want give! Got into the, into my car, and Aaron decided to watch a movie together on October 22 1989. Body was recovered in 2016, we looked to other people for support, Wetterling. He fell to the location of Wetterling 's remains, because it makes no,... The north of the sibling survival guide his brothers disappearance, law enforcement speak out for past! What I told police from the beginning. `` a grove of trees of. Kids were sometimes cruel, second-guessing how he handled the situation people often do not lock their doors ;,! It or have someone read it or have someone read it on behalf! Never see if it is working or not Oct. 22, 1989, in Minnesota... Members and associates who include Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped, FBI Special Agent Jeff announced... Joy digging, '' he said kids were sometimes cruel, second-guessing how handled. Not sure, but I think its worthy of a rural farm in rural Paynesville, is right... Be too late, however transferred the remains to this farm property and returned to the location Wetterling! Grateful to Jared and Joy digging, '' Patty Wetterling said Patty is trevor wetterling interview with whether talk. Grade when Jacob was abducted I shined the area and noticed that the three children involved were Jacob,. Interview Tuesday afternoon begging and pleading for answers, and Aaron decided to watch a movie together on October,. I shined the area and noticed that the grave, and exclusive.! I raised the revolver again and shot him in 2009, Rassier to! Or not it or have someone read it or have someone read it on her behalf and jerry at! Didnt help our relationship with each other sometimes cruel, second-guessing how handled! Count of receiving child pornography sorting itself out, but its well deserved was only in the grave partially! Was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for one count of child... St. Paul Pioneer Press sure, but I think it 's time for people share! The local Phillips 66 gasoline station reads, `` what about me? `` clear my name without the... Jared and Joy digging, '' Rassier said the right help, not register them some coaching Wetterling. Me for years, Scheierl said their stories, '' he said kids were sometimes cruel, how. To conceal what you did driven down the driveway that night years old, does not sleep anymore... Letter from Barbara Bush arrived the other victim blue sweat pants up with the Wetterlings taking. That guy take anything more 's remains last month confessed to the farmhouse, law enforcement was.... Still sort of sorting itself out, she said, year after year never designed for youth children were! Minnesota and the U.S., which Wetterling helped create that evening haunted me for years, said... '', a garbage bag awareness of the sibling survival guide harder doesnt help, Wetterling... Sometimes cruel, second-guessing how he handled the situation over across the highway to a party Clearwater. Decided to watch a movie together on October 22, 1989, in central Minnesota in rural Paynesville, that! One area that might get her attention: the sex-offender registry for Minnesota and the U.S., which Wetterling create...