First Photo of Teen Jayme Closs Emerges After She Escaped the Man Who Allegedly Kidnapped Her

Jayme Closs and her aunt, Jennifer Smith.
Aunt Jennifer Smith and Jayme Closs. Jennifer Smith

Jayme Closs escaped her alleged abductor after being held for 88 days, police said.

The first photograph has surfaced of 13-year-old Jayme Closs since the Wisconsin teen fled her alleged abductor's home after being missing for 88 days.

The image is a selfie taken Friday by aunt Jennifer Smith, who is seen smiling with the girl as they both cuddle Jayme's dog, Molly. Smith was reunited with her niece one day after the teen escaped a 21-year-old man who allegedly kidnapped her after shooting to death her parents nearly three months ago, police said.

The picture is the first public glimpse of the missing girl since news surfaced Friday that she had been found.

Closs had fled a home in rural northern Wisconsin on Thursday, emerging from the woods with no coat or gloves, pleading for help from a woman walking her dog.

The woman, Jeanne Nutter, took Jayme to a nearby home, where authorities were called. 

Jayme Closs, right, with her dog, Molly, and her aunt, Jennifer Smith. - Jennifer Smith

Smith, who is the sister of Jayme's mother, Denise, will act as the girl's guardian. 

Family friend Jennifer Havorson told People that Closs "is so happy to be home. And she is obviously thrilled to have her dog. Her dog was everything to her," said Havorson, who runs a Facebook group called "Light the Way Home for Jayme."

A cousin told the magazine, "Jayme is a complete badass. As far as I'm concerned, she saved herself," said Jodie Arnold.

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