The Million-Dollar Question in Closs Case Is Worth $50K

Who gets the reward money?
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 17, 2019 9:35 AM CST
The Million-Dollar Question in Closs Case Is Worth $50K
This Friday, Jan. 11, 2019 photo shows Jayme Closs, right, with her aunt, Jennifer Smith in Barron, Wis.   (Jennifer Smith via AP)

It's the million-dollar question—or, more accurately, the $50,000 one: Since Jayme Closs ended up rescuing herself from captivity, where does the reward money go? It looks like there are four possibilities: no one, Jayme herself, the woman she approached asking for help, or the couple who then called 911. The FBI in late October ponied up $25,000 for anyone providing information leading to the 13-year-old Wisconsin girl's rescue, and the Jennie-O Turkey Store, which employed her parents, matched that amount. After being held for 88 days, Jayme last Thursday managed to escape from a cabin in Gordon and came upon Jeanne Nutter, who was walking her dog. They then went to Kristin and Peter Kasinskas' home, and the couple called 911.

CNN reports the Kristin Kasinskas believes the money should go to Jayme, "because she got herself out." Kasinskas said no officials have spoken to her about the money, which she doesn't want. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald, who publicly called Jayme "the hero in the case," says he will be conferring with the FBI about what to do with the money. No timeline has been given regarding that decision. The AP simply reports that it will be "determined later." A Milwaukee FBI rep said on Tuesday the reward was under review. (Jayme heard deputies' sirens from the trunk where she was being held.)

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