May 22, 2007 7:52 pm US/Central
New Wetterling Lead Brings Hope, Disappointment
by Caroline Lowe
(WCCO)
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Three weeks ago, Trevor and his family hopes were renewed when a young man from Kentucky called Jacob's parents, claiming to be their missing son.
CBS
Trevor Wetterling has been waiting for answers since he saw a stranger take off with his brother, 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling, in October 1989.
It's been almost 18 years since Jacob was abducted by a masked gunman as he, his brother and a friend biked home from a trip to a convenience store in St. Joseph, Minn.
Three weeks ago, Trevor and his family hopes were renewed when a young man from Kentucky called Jacob's parents, claiming to be their missing son.
"He thought he was Jacob, he had amnesia and all that and that was, I mean it was hopeful, 'cause that's the only explanation I can really have right now as to why he hasn't come home, you know, other than the worst possible situation. So it was hopeful," said Trevor.
The young man had some physical similarities to Jacob, including a mole on his cheek but hope faded quickly. Fingerprints and blood tests ruled the man out as Jacob.
This latest lead came as Jacob's only brother and two sisters were finishing a survival guide to help other kids who have also had a sibling abducted. The book is called "What About Me?"
Jacob's siblings said friends and teachers often asked how their parents were doing but didn't always ask how the kids were dealing with the trauma of having their brother disappear without a trace.
The Wetterling siblings -- Trevor, Amy and Carmen -- and their parents were on hand May 18 in Washington, D.C. when the guidebook was released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Wetterlings developed a close bond with the six other siblings of abduction victims who helped write the book and took part in a video.
"We all came together and realized how similar our experiences were," said Carmen.
Sadly, Jacob Wetterling's siblings are the only ones in the group who still don't know what happened to their loved one who was abducted.
"It doesn't go away. I mean it's always going to be there for us. Even when, and if, we do have resolution, it is always going to be a big part of our lives," said Amy.
"There is an unknown and we really can't think differently until there is proof," said Trevor Wetterling.
The Wetterlings believe someone knows what happened to Jacob and provide them with answers. They hope that someone will contact law enforcement and lead them to Jacob.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Stearns County Sheriff Office is 320-259-3700.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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