Elizabeth Smart Reacts To Kidnapped Jayme Closs, 13, Being Found

Elizabeth Smart has taken to Instagram to share her relief that Jayme Closs has been found alive after being missing for three months.

Jayme Closs, 13, was abducted by 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson. Patterson now has charges pending for kidnapping and the murder of Closs' parents, according to investigators.

Closs was kidnapped from her home in Barron, Wisconsin, where her parents were killed on Oct. 15. On Thursday, Closs broke free from Patterson and approached a woman walking her dog on a rural road in Gordon, Wisconsin, telling her she had been abducted.

Smart, who is a former kidnapping victim and an activist against abduction, wrote on Instagram, “What a miracle!!! Jayme Closs has been found!!!! I’m so thrilled to hear the news. What has been such a heart wrenching tragedy finally has some happiness in the story.

“I’m praying for Jayme and all her family that they can have a joyous reunion and as the rest of the country celebrates alongside this happy occasion we all are mindful to give the family their space and privacy on their road to finding a new sense of normal and moving forward.

“I have no doubt Jayme and her family will forever appreciate the efforts and prayers of the many thousands of people who contributed and kept them in their thoughts and prayers! I hope we may all continue to support and embrace Jayme as she reclaims her life and comes to terms with the reality of her situation.

“What a brave, strong, and powerful survivor!!!! No matter what may unfold in her story let’s all try to remember that this young woman has SURVIVED and whatever other details may surface the most important will still remain that she is alive.

“May god bless you Jayme Closs and may we all continue to search for every missing child. #miracleshappen #novictimblaming #hope #findingnormal #survivor #strong #brave.”

Smart is a mother of three children and an advocate for child safety.