Jayme Closs timeline: 88 days | Forensic Files

[Music] Baron, Wisconsin is on a high. The town can finally exhale after 88 agonizing
days of mounting pressure, sleepless nights, and dashed hopes. starting on that terrible October night.
I've been doing this for over 20 years and it's a crime scene like you rarely see. It's going to take a toll on our
people. No one could grasp the cruelty of a double murder and kidnapping of an innocent 13-year-old girl. Even seasoned
investigators were baffled, says Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald. We don't know why, how, um, you know, we don't know who
made the 911 call. Scary and you don't know what to expect anymore, no matter where you're at.
Law enforcement launched a massive search for the 5' 100 lb Jamie Clauss. We've searched the school. We've met
with your friends. Working with anybody that may have any bit of information. That afternoon, authorities issued a
statewide Amber Alert. We have a 13-year-old girl has vanished and we need to get a hold of her to make sure
she's okay. We all have the same goal in mind and that is to bring Jamie home. The entire community joined in prayer
and hope. We will overcome. I'm hoping and praying with God's help and the community that we all rally
around each other and help find this girl and bring her home. But it was not looking very hopeful.
We don't have any leads at this time. At day's end, Sheriff Fitzgerald sent out an urgent plea for help to the people of
Baron. The public should share the photo. Um, they should share our Facebook page.
They should share this newscast. Whatever it is, anybody that can get information about where she might be.
Slowly, the world began to learn a little bit about the eighth grader who disappeared without a trace. her aunt
and godmother, Jennifer Smith. If Jamie is the sweetest little girl, she wouldn't hurt a soul. A sentiment echoed
by the school superintendent, Diane Trembley. Jaime wrote on one of her assignments in response to the question,
"What would you do if you were given a million dollars, she said, "Feed the hungry and give the rest to the poor."
Sheriff Fitzgerald knew Jamie Clauss was in danger. He also knew time was of the
essence. Every second counts in this case. Sheriff, have you questioned any people
of interest? We follow up on every tip. The sheriff's department joined forces with law enforcement agencies across the
country. More than 100 officers combed through neighborhoods and searched for clues.
The Baron County Sheriff says they're using infrared technology and drones to help in their search.
FBI special agent in charge Justin Toolo offered the bureau's full support. The FBI along with our law enforcement
partners is committed to finding Jaime quickly and ask for the public's help in making that happen. Over 200 tips came
flooding in. Jaime's Amber Alert web page got 30,000 hits and friends like Melissa Salmanson organized a prayer
vigil. Everyone's feeling very helpless right now. Day four and still no leads. The sheriff
asked for a hundred volunteers to search the area. Go ahead. 300 people showed up and dozens had to
be turned away. I got granddaughters and a daughter, so I don't want this stuff to happen anymore. The days wore on with
no sign of the missing teenager, no sign of her abductor. I'm terrified. I'm I I want to stay in
my home where I know that I'm safe, that I can keep my baby safe. [Music] Despite their fears, the people of this
close-knit community kept hope alive. Tips kept coming in. We've received over,300 tips in our community and from
across the nation. We have closed,00 of those. The FBI offered a $25,000 reward, an
amount later doubled by Jenny O Turkey, the Claus's employer. The sheriff called upon more citizens to
join in the investigation. We are asking for about 2,000 volunteers to walk specific areas in or around the crime
scene to help with our investigation. [Music] They came in droves. They swarmed the
area in line formation through the woods, across the streams, and into the corn fields. I believe she's still
alive. I believe she's still out there, and the hope is what we're riding on, and that's what we're going to go with.
But in the middle of all this hope came a solemn reminder of what was lost. Two people who were deeply loved. James and
Denise Clauss, Jaime's mom and dad. Why? Why? They're normal people. Why would you? They don't bother nobody. They
don't They go to work. They go home. They're They're about their families. As time passed, the leads dried up and
the cold reality set in. [Music] 18 days into this investigation, still no suspect and no sign of Jamie Claus.
Investigators who had set up shop in the command center started leaving town. We
were averaging sometimes between 100 to 250 a day. Now we're down to that 25ish range. So we need to scale back the
operation itself from our 247 operation. The story slowly slipped from the headlines and life for the most part
went back to normal. But the people of Baron never forgot Jamie Claus. Lord Jaime's family has
been searching for 77 days in great anguish for their loved ones. [Music] On day 77, people of all ages and walks
of life called upon the spirit of Christmas to bring Jamie home. Jaime's uncle, Mike, addressed the
crowd. Our families like you, we just we just want Jamie home. That wish was about to come true.
[Music]

CBS News' Adriana Diaz looks back at the search for Jayme Closs -- and profiles a town that never lost hope that they'd find her.

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Brief Summary

The episode recounts the search for missing 13-year-old Jamie Clauss and the community's response to her disappearance.

Key points

The Disappearance of Jamie Clauss. Baron, Wisconsin faces a crisis as 13-year-old Jamie Clauss vanishes without a trace.
Community Response. The entire community rallies together to search for Jamie, showing unwavering hope and support.
A Solemn Reminder. As hope persists, the community is reminded of the tragic loss of Jamie's parents.
Hope Amidst Despair. On day 77, the community calls upon the spirit of Christmas to bring Jamie home.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

Every second counts in this case.

2:42WatchJan 13, 2019

Tension

75/ 100High tension

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