Jan 6, 2009 11:10 pm US/Central
Police: Probe Finds No Link With Wetterling Case
(WCCO)
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Jacob Wetterling was 11 years old when he was abducted from his hometown of St. Joseph, Minn., on Oct. 22, 1989. He, his brother Trevor and a friend of theirs were biking back home from a convenience store when a masked gunman took Jacob. (File)
CBS
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An age-progression picture is released of Jacob Wetterling showing what he would look like at age 29.
CBS
Milwaukee police have investigated a suburban barber's reported deathbed statement that he was a child killer. But a police spokeswoman said no connection has been found with any missing child case, including that of Jacob Wetterling who was abducted two decades ago.
A search warrant showed the man had pictures and information about Jacob Wetterling in his home. Police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz acknowledged that there were unusual things found in the search, but she told The Associated Press that the investigation didn't come up with anything to show a connection with missing children.
Records show a long list of disturbing materials found in the home of 62-year-old Vernon Seitz, including, "numerous letters, maps, stories regarding Joseph Wetterling" along with a black and white photo.
However, Jacob's mother and a psychologist who treated Seitz, both have doubts about his connection to the case.
"I don't have any reason to believe that this is the guy," Patty Wetterling said.
Jacob was 11 years old when he was abducted from his hometown of St. Joseph, Minn., on Oct. 22, 1989. He, his brother Trevor and a friend of theirs were biking back home from a convenience store when a masked gunman took Jacob.
A huge search was undertaken to find Jacob, but he hasn't been seen since.
Seitz was a patient of psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Fetter who spoke with Milwaukee Police and also talked with WCCO about Seitz.
According to Fetter, Seitz came to her 11 years ago wanting her to help him with a murder confession.
Fetter said that Seitz claimed to have been forced to "pull the trigger" on two boys in 1958 when he was just 12 years old. Seitz apparently wanted her to put him in touch with any family members of these two children so that he could confess and clear his conscience.
According to Fetter, police in Racine, Wis. investigated the confession but could find nothing that fit such a particular crime. She said police couldn't find any names or family members or even a homicide coming close to what he was claiming.
Fetter said she continued to see Seitz over the past 11 years. She said he never mentioned the name of Jacob Wetterling to her nor did he ever claim to have any involvement with Jacob's disappearance. Fetter also said that Seitz considered himself a "psychic" who could help with missing children cases.
After hearing about Seitz, Jacob's mother, Patty Wetterling, remembers meeting Seitz on two different occasions when he offered to help find Jacob because he claimed to be a psychic.
Patty said she contacted the Stearns County Sheriff, the county where Jacob went missing, after she heard of this information from a member of the news media. She said the sheriff knew about the investigation but Milwaukee Police didn't want them to say anything to the Wetterling's yet since, at this point, there doesn't appear to be much of a connection.
Patty said what's important is people are remembering Jacob.
"People still care and that really matters to me," she said.
Patty is now a Child Rights Advocate. Patty, and her husband Jerry, created the non-profit Jacob Wetterling Foundation to carry out the mission to educate families and communities on ways to keep children safe.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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