Found Alive WI - Jayme Closs, 13, Barron, missing after parents found shot, 15 Oct 2018 *Arrest* #44

[Keine Engel]

“I had been in [Jayme’s] situation and I never wanted it to come out as exploitative,” says Smart, now 31. “I wanted to be respectful and protective of her family. I told Lifetime, ‘If I was to consider doing this, I would in no way want to go into her story because if she ever decides to share it, that is completely up to her. That’s not what it is at all.’ ”

"Smart shares advice about moving forward, along with insight from six other kidnapping survivors who provide incredible examples of resilience, in the new Lifetime special, "Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case."

I realize this is a goofy question, but if they are all concerned with helping JC face her future, could they have just done this in private? Why the need for a Lifetime special?

The title of the show seems to be quite a contradiction then...

 

[Seattle1]

It appears that they fixed the naming in the title.

"Smart shares advice about moving forward, along with insight from six other kidnapping survivors who provide incredible examples of resilience, in the new Lifetime special, "Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case."

I realize this is a goofy question, but if they are all concerned with helping JC face her future, could they have just done this in private? Why the need for a Lifetime special?

Not a goofy question. It was already planned by Lifetime well in advance when they announced lineup of 2019 Specials to showcase survivors.

The first special was "Surviving R. Kelly," followed by Jayme's case, and the next one is going to be about gold medalist Aly Raisman, etc.

 

[ilovechili]

The title of the show seems to be quite a contradiction then...

Excellent point. The title belies the statement.

 

[oceanstarryeyes]

The Latest Updates on the Abduction, Escape, and Rescue of Jayme Closs | The Dr. Oz Show

The Latest Updates on the Abduction, Escape, and Rescue of Jayme Closs | The Dr. Oz Show

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 1, 2019
Jayme family event Sat. at high school
A fundraiser for the family of escaped kidnap victim Jayme Closs is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Barron High School commons.

The event is being organized by a team of volunteers led by local contractor BB and his daughter, MBS.

Proceeds will help Jayme’s aunt and uncle, Bob and Jennifer Smith, add onto their home to better accommodate the needs of their niece.

[...]

 

[Keine Engel]

MAY 1, 2019
Jayme family event Sat. at high school
A fundraiser for the family of escaped kidnap victim Jayme Closs is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Barron High School commons.

The event is being organized by a team of volunteers led by local contractor BB and his daughter, MBS.

Proceeds will help Jayme’s aunt and uncle, Bob and Jennifer Smith, add onto their home to better accommodate the needs of their niece.

[...]

I sure hope all these t.v. productions are gonna be giving some decent sized donations from the profits they're making off this familys nightmare!

 

[JenniD]

I think about Jayme often. Hope she is doing okay and getting the help she needs. I wonder if she is receiving tutoring at home so that when she returns to school that she will not be behind
I really wish these tv shows-Dr Oz, lifetime would just leave her alone.

Saying prayers for her everyday

 

[Keine Engel]

I think about Jayme often. Hope she is doing okay and getting the help she needs. I wonder if she is receiving tutoring at home so that when she returns to school that she will not be behind
I really wish these tv shows-Dr Oz, lifetime would just leave her alone.

Saying prayers for her everyday

Yeah it's way to soon. It's gotta be difficult enough for Jayme & the family to come to terms with with the horror they've endured & try to get past it, every hour of evey day, without the added stress of having to check the t.v. guides!

And for what it's worth I get the impression poor Elizabeth's been exploited as well??

 

[ilovechili]

I guess that is how out of touch I am with TV. Dr. Oz and true crime? News to me. I remember him as a doctor show with things like weight loss, supplements, diet, foods, and some medical issues.

Unfortunately I don't think they can stop it from being talked about although they can refuse interviews etc. as they do. The quieter, the more likely it will go away although it is such a different and horrendous crime with a very young perp that it will always be of interest to some I imagine. Elizabeth even said, I believe she does mean well, it is time perhaps to take signs down and stop the attention, it is well meant but does not help (very much paraphrasing off of the top of my head). Yet the Lifetime special brings attention back to JC as does Dr. Oz and anything that relates to this crime whether well intentioned or profit and ratings intentioned.

Very much jmo.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Celebration of Jayme Closs' return and benefit event

BARRON, Wis. — Barron High School will host a celebration for Jayme Closs and a benefit for Bob and Jennifer Smith on May 4, 2019. Benefits will be used by Bob and Jennifer for general family expenses, and to better accommodate Jayme in their home.

 

[Keine Engel]

I guess that is how out of touch I am with TV. Dr. Oz and true crime? News to me. I remember him as a doctor show with things like weight loss, supplements, diet, foods, and some medical issues.

Unfortunately I don't think they can stop it from being talked about although they can refuse interviews etc. as they do. The quieter, the more likely it will go away although it is such a different and horrendous crime with a very young perp that it will always be of interest to some I imagine. Elizabeth even said, I believe she does mean well, it is time perhaps to take signs down and stop the attention, it is well meant but does not help (very much paraphrasing off of the top of my head). Yet the Lifetime special brings attention back to JC as does Dr. Oz and anything that relates to this crime whether well intentioned or profit and ratings intentioned.

Very much jmo.

I have no doubt Elizabeth means well.

I haven't watch the show myself but by all accounts I've read it sounds like Jayme wasn't really discussed so that makes me feel the network/producers have taken advantage of her as well, especially with the title of the show. I don't think Elizabeth knew??

 

[Keine Engel]

Celebration of Jayme Closs' return and benefit event

BARRON, Wis. — Barron High School will host a celebration for Jayme Closs and a benefit for Bob and Jennifer Smith on May 4, 2019. Benefits will be used by Bob and Jennifer for general family expenses, and to better accommodate Jayme in their home.

And...
This ^ is so wrong, it's heartbreaking!
They shouldn't have to need do this - they're all innocent victims

 

[girlhasnoname]

MAY 1, 2019
Jayme family event Sat. at high school
A fundraiser for the family of escaped kidnap victim Jayme Closs is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Barron High School commons.

The event is being organized by a team of volunteers led by local contractor BB and his daughter, MBS.

Proceeds will help Jayme’s aunt and uncle, Bob and Jennifer Smith, add onto their home to better accommodate the needs of their niece.

[...]

I wonder about continuing these local fundraisers. I know the family can definitely use the money to support Jayme's future and I'm all for it, but at what point is it enough and time to let all media attention and fundraising just stop?

 

[Ragnarok]

I've got mixed feeling about the fund raiser. I don't begrudge any monies that JC receives but if the family wants the media to back off and give JC the opportunity for as much of a normal childhood going forward as possible; this is not helping IMO. After sentencing of JP I hope JC's name drops off media attention till she is ready to tell her story after reaching adulthood. She needs the next five years to grow up as a child as much is possible.

Does anyone know how the monies she has received in her name is held and allowed to be spent by JC and her guardian? At a minimum she receives monthly SS survivor benefits till she is 18, any company insurance for her parents, any 401k from her parents, the company reward, previous donations, sale of her parents house, state victims funds.

Granted none of the monies make up for the loss of her parents or the trauma JC endured.

Best wishes for you JC.

 

[girlhasnoname]

I've got mixed feeling about the fund raiser. I don't begrudge any monies that JC receives but if the family wants the media to back off and give JC the opportunity for as much of a normal childhood going forward as possible; this is not helping IMO. After sentencing of JP I hope JC's name drops off media attention till she is ready to tell her story after reaching adulthood. She needs the next five years to grow up as a child as much is possible.

Does anyone know how the monies she has received in her name is held and allowed to be spent by JC and her guardian? At a minimum she receives monthly SS survivor benefits till she is 18, any company insurance for her parents, any 401k from her parents, the company reward, previous donations, sale of her parents house, state victims funds.

Granted none of the monies make up for the loss of her parents or the trauma JC endured.

Best wishes for you JC.

Two separate G F M accounts raised over $50,000 each and the Sterling Bank Fundraiser in Barron has raised an undisclosed sum as well. Jenni O donated the $25,000 in reward money to her, so I would guess somewhere between $150,000 to 200K. Plus, she'll have any life insurance from her parents, proceeds from the sale of their assets, 401k and SS benefits like you mentioned.

No the money does not in any shape form or fashion make up or take away from her terrible loss, but I hope she'll be financially able to afford the best mental health care and a college of her choice. She is a survivor and I believe Jayme is going to be successful in life. Jayme deserves more than anyone else I can think of.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAY 4, 2019
Jayme Closs attends benefit, receives national award
At a benefit in her honor Saturday, Jayme Closs was given a national award.

Jayme was in the crowd in Barron High School's gymnasium as the American Legion Auxiliary gave her their Youth Hero Award, citing her bravery.

Her aunt and uncle, Bob and Jennifer Smith, accepted the award on her behalf on a stage in the gym.

KARE 11 did not take photos or video of Jayme, as her family requested.

[...]

The money raised will be given to Jayme and the Smiths, who Jayme is living with. Organizers say it will be used for family expenses and to make more room in their home. The Smiths, according to organizer BB, moved into their current home as empty nesters. They now need more space for Jayme to be comfortable, too.

[...]

Voice contestant and Barron native, Chris Kroeze, attended the benefit and donated several auction items.

Organizers expected to raise several thousand dollars from the benefit. However, they say the event was less about the money and more a celebration of Jayme's return.

"We wanted to celebrate that she was back," said BB.

[...]

 

[PayrollNerd]

I've got mixed feeling about the fund raiser. I don't begrudge any monies that JC receives but if the family wants the media to back off and give JC the opportunity for as much of a normal childhood going forward as possible; this is not helping IMO. After sentencing of JP I hope JC's name drops off media attention till she is ready to tell her story after reaching adulthood. She needs the next five years to grow up as a child as much is possible.

Does anyone know how the monies she has received in her name is held and allowed to be spent by JC and her guardian? At a minimum she receives monthly SS survivor benefits till she is 18, any company insurance for her parents, any 401k from her parents, the company reward, previous donations, sale of her parents house, state victims funds.

Granted none of the monies make up for the loss of her parents or the trauma JC endured.

Best wishes for you JC.

The SS survivor benefits go directly to the guardian for her care.

The house will need to be repaired, refurbished and sold if there is a mortgage because it must be satisfied. The funds raised could be used to pay off the mortgage, refurbish the house or simply demolish it. The lot can then be sold or retained.

If her parents had individual wills drawn up, it will state at what age she can receive all, our parts, of the assets. The father predeceased the mother so in this case everything goes to moms estate first, then to JC. Sorting that stuff out takes a long time, like a year if I had to guess.

I’m not sure how reward funds are stipulated to a minor but that is a taxable event if its cash.

The 401k/retirement can be transferred to her name. I do not believe that is a taxable event, initially, if she pulls funds out, it will be.

Life insurance proceeds are non-taxable paid directly to the recipient. In this case dads proceeds are paid to moms estate. Moms proceeds directly to JC. This was likely spent on funeral expenses, if the employer didn’t cover that.

I don't know that she or her guardians are flush with cash at this point. If the well wishers sent her cash directly in the mail then I’m sure she has some monies. That is considered gift monies and up to a certain amount is non-taxable.

The funds raised at the school function sound like a building addition. Maybe the guardians home is small and they need to add a bedroom and bathroom.

The funds at the local banks would typically have a guardian who controlled them.

Long term I think JC will be in good shape financially as long as her guardian are good stewards of her funds.

 

[ilovechili]

I have no doubt Elizabeth means well.

I haven't watch the show myself but by all accounts I've read it sounds like Jayme wasn't really discussed so that makes me feel the network/producers have taken advantage of her as well, especially with the title of the show. I don't think Elizabeth knew??

I agree in that I am not going to assume what Elizabeth knew, what she went through herself and how she has triumphed is awesome and so admirable. I do think on some level she must have had some idea, she was the one sent and who talked to was it a neighbor in Gordon, etc.? Perhaps she thought it would help others and be a success story but it is hard to say. I think bottom line though it should be decided on whether this minor victim or her family wanted her story touched on or even put into the special. Of course, no law probably applies to that and the big heads/honchos at Lifetime can't be stopped from sharing a national story I am guessing if they want to. If they truly care though, as they claim their shows and network is for, then I feel listen to the wishes of the minor victim and the family. jmo. I am not including Elizabeth in that statement because I do not know how much she knew. She was the one who was sent to and went to Barron however.

I have not watched it either, I feel if the victim and family did not want it, then I am not watching it.

It is a tough call, media is needed badly when someone is missing but then media afterwards can be intrusive... Or networks...

All jmo.

 

[human]

I have read on a FB page, people moaning and groaning about Jayme’s fundraisers.

Jealousy because of something no one would wish upon their worst enemy.

The amount of therapy she will need. Wow! And there may not be one very close.

A house designed in which to feel as safe s possible such as bullet proof windows which is what I would have.

Who knows what else that will cost huge money.

Sad that people have to be so small

 

[girlhasnoname]

I have read on a FB page, people moaning and groaning about Jayme’s fundraisers.

Jealousy because of something no one would wish upon their worst enemy.

The amount of therapy she will need. Wow! And there may not be one very close.

A house designed in which to feel as safe s possible such as bullet proof windows which is what I would have.

Who knows what else that will cost huge money.

Sad that people have to be so small

I don't follow Fakebook for that very reason. Yes, there are petty and miserable people who would even entertain that money would make what happened to James, Denise and Jayme on that October night 'less painful, or bearable'. I'm sure every Closs member including Jayme would give every nickel they owned to have kept from being victimized by a little runt of a man/boy and continued living life as happily as before.

Mental health counseling, and future college plans are going to be expensive and I hope she and her family has all the financial means necessary to accomplish this.