Wetterling’s remains were located this week and Saturday police said DNA has confirmed they are his.
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A white ribbon with a large J hangs on a post along Minnesota Street as residents there await confirmation that remains found belong to 1989 abduction victim Jacob Wetterling, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in St. Joseph, Minn. According to CNN, “investigators will evaluate new evidence” and provide more detailed information next week.
Authorities say they plan to release more details in the coming week.
Wetterling did not immediately respond to calls and text messages from The Associated Press. “We have no words”.
People all over the country left their porch lights on in honor of Jacob Wetterling overnight Saturday.
“All I can confirm is that Jacob has been found and our hearts are broken”.
The Wetterling family started the resource center in Jacob’s honor to help prevent the exploitation of other children; Jacob’s 1989 abduction led to the passing of a 1994 law that requires states to establish sex offender registries.
“Just everything we took for granted – riding their bikes to the park or going to a park reserve”, Rogers said of raising her children.
“We are in deep grief”, a statement on the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center site reads. She has not called back and we’re told she’s not likely to comment until the forensic testing is complete.
As the years passed, the Wetterlings never gave up hope. Their choice changed the world.
Last year U.S. police chose to revisit the case, and were led to a man named Danny James Heinrich, who they referred to as a “person of interest” in Jacob’s kidnapping. It shines on in a different way. We are and will continue to be Jacob’s Hope. “Jacob, you are loved”.
At that time, no charges were filed in the Wetterling case. In doing so, they enlightened the nation to understand their battle and through their perseverance, they and their foundation is a beacon to all missing children. “It’s been hard to talk about, since nothing’s really official, but it’s also hard not to”.
The disappearance rocked St. Joseph and made national news.
Sparrow Rogers said, “I think it’s changed forever, I do”. “It’s kind of relieving to find out, but it’s sad, too”. They kept running for the woods and when they looked back again, both the man and Jacob were gone.
Annie Sparrow Rogers was living in Plymouth with her two children when Jacob went missing.
At the time, a man named Danny Heinrich, now 53, was questioned about both kidnappings, but denied any involvement. But he has pleaded not guilty to 25 federal child pornography charges and is scheduled to go on trial on those counts in October.
Last October, authorities announced they were unable to prosecute Heinrich for the assault and abduction of Scheierl, because the statute of limitations had run out.
The boys were stopped by a masked gunman who emerged from a gravel road. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and other officials are offering support to the family of Jacob Wetterling after his mother said the remains of the boy missing for almost 27 years have been found.
“Our family is drawing strength from all your love & support”, Patricia Wetterling said on twitter.
WCCO reports of an emotional church service in St. Joseph Saturday night, as mourners discussed the impact Jacob’s disappearance had on their lives. And he says he’s praying for peace for the Wetterling family “and for all Minnesotans touched by this tragedy”.
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“The Wetterling family’s long journey in search of their son has come to a sad end this week”. That ultimately led to Saturday’s announcement that Jacob’s remains finally had been found.
