October is a time often filled with haunting activities: Halloween parties, haunted houses, scary movies, and ghoulish costumes. All these activities are carried out for thrills and entertainment purposes (although I can say I've never watched one of the numerous terrifying movies in its entirety ; I personally don't get thrills from goriness).
Twenty years ago, there was a different kind of October nightmare. It had nothing to do with entertainment and thrills, except perhaps, for the perpetrator of this atrocity, which continues to haunt central Minnesota and beyond. Straight out of an ordinary October night, a monster lurked, then preyed upon the most innocent of victims. Three young boys, just hanging out, enjoying their time together, living in a place where bad things weren't supposed to happen.
Just a few days ago a very sad anniversary came and went, with a renewed interest and a few leads, but still no answers. 20 years and we seem to be no closer to having any answers. Mass media is often frowned upon as using sensationalistic journalism, trying to get their ratings up by falling all over stories that will garner the most public interest. In the case of this story, however, keeping it in the public eye will hopefully one day bring answers to the hope that is still held in the hearts of family, friends, and countless others. It is Jacob's Hope!
I know exactly where I was when I heard of the kidnapping of Jacob Wetterling. It is one of those few moments frozen in time. It was the early afternoon of October 23rd, a Monday, the day after the night of horror. I had just arrived home from work and my neighbor stopped me to tell me of the event. I remember thinking this was "unbelievable." How could such a thing happen in St. Joe? I know my mind also flashed back to the still unsolved Reker sisters' murders, wondering about any possible connection.
I quickly went inside to look for media coverage. I called my parents to find out what they had been hearing. You see, although I never knew Jacob or the Wetterling family personally, I did grow up in that area of the state. At the time, his father had at least two chiropractic clinics, one being in my hometown. I felt drawn to this case, mostly because of my connection to the area, but also because I was a parent of small children at the time. Many people living in or connected to central Minnesota will remember this horror story for the rest of their lives. This is not the only unsolved mystery of Stearns County (murders, missing persons, kidnappings), but it is the one that that seems to have received the most attention. Some of it is due to the age of the victim, but mostly, I think, it is due to the family's fight for answers and their willingness to keep reminding us that until the mystery is solved, there will always be hope, and we will never stop looking.
Halloween of 1989 arrived just 9 days after the abduction of Jacob. The usual array of ghosts and goblins were still out, but as I recall, their tiny hands were being held a little tighter. There were more parents on the pathways of tricksters that night, keeping their little ones in sight. Children once considered old enough to go out alone on this night, had parents hot on their trail. As a parent of two youngsters at the time, and expecting my third, I recall mourning the loss of innocence. It was just an eery time as I thought about where Jacob might be at that moment and what types of monsters now lurk in the shadows of our children's lives.
In all reality, the monsters have always been there, but this hammered it home. More often than not, perpetrators are someone known to the children they violate. The stranger danger is a less likely scenario than the neighbor, relative, or trusted adult when it comes to exploitation of children. Still, in this case, it was an unknown person, at least in the darkness of that October evening. Although investigators still work the case and have some possible suspects, there has never been that one clear break to crack the case wide open. It does seem odd, that in a small town in rural Minnesota, this monster's secret is still being held. Perhaps the perpetrator is cold and cruel enough to keep the secret, but he must have friends, family members, or neighbors that know or suspect something. Just one person that comes forth could be what it takes. If you are that person and you are reading this, now is the time.
As I close this piece, I will provide some links to the coverage of this story. Watching the old clips, and then seeing the newest coverage, it is hard not to see the pain of waiting and wondering that is etched on the faces of the Wetterling family or Jacob's best friend, Aaron. I continue to keep my outside light on as a symbol of hope for Jacob and all of missing children. Jaycee Dugard's family recently got their answers and a happy reunion. It is time for answers, and hopefully a reunion, for the Wetterling family and all others as well!
From the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center: Every kid should be a kid. They should be able to ride a bike, have a lemonade stand or walk home from school confident in their own safety. As adults, we all must play a part in ensuring the safety of kids...to keep them free from sexual exploitation online or in-person.
Jacob Wetterling Forum This includes some You-Tube recordings that I found a bit disturbing. Not sure what to make of them.
WCCO: Wetterling Siblings Reach Out
Will you keep your porch light burning, as a symbol for Jacob and all missing children, that they may return home soon?
Originally posted on Area Voices Blog 10/25/2009 at 12:55 PM
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