Katie Beers voices support for Wisconsin kidnapping victim

Katie Beers kidnapped and held by a family friend for 17 days in Bay Shore.

News 12 Staff

Jan 12, 2019, 3:09 AM

Updated 1,929 days ago

Share:

It's been more than two decades since Katie Beers was rescued from an underground bunker on Long Island.
At just 9 years old in 1992, she was kidnapped and held by a family friend for 17 days in Bay Shore. She says she was in survival mode at the time.
Beers now lives in central Pennsylvania. News 12 caught up with her via Skype Friday to get her thoughts on the kidnapping and rescue of Jayme Closs in Wisconsin.
"The fact that she had the willpower to survive the 88 days knowing that her parents were shot and killed," Beers says. "Then she has to endure being abducted for a length of time. She is very, very, very strong."
According to authorities, Closs disappeared in October after her parents were found fatally shot. Police say she escaped her captor and approached a woman walking her dog on Thursday, 70 miles from home.
John Esposito, the man convicted of kidnapping Beers, died in prison in 2013. Now a mother of two, Beers says she hopes Closs gets the same love and support she did to help her get through the ordeal.
In the Closs case, police arrested 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson. He's been charged him with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Jan. 13 marks 26 years since Beers was rescued.


More from News 12
0:28
President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

2:15
Pop-up showers with breaks of sun today, mostly sunny for the rest of the workweek

Pop-up showers with breaks of sun today, mostly sunny for the rest of the workweek

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

2:22
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

0:28
Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

0:28
Dutchess County bus driver honored as Bus Driver of the Year

Dutchess County bus driver honored as Bus Driver of the Year

1:23
Headlines: Child sex crimes, 70-year-old scammed out of $28,000, crackdown on scooters and motorcycles

Headlines: Child sex crimes, 70-year-old scammed out of $28,000, crackdown on scooters and motorcycles

0:18
President Biden to deliver commencement address at West Point

President Biden to deliver commencement address at West Point

0:21
Traffic Alert: Bridge replacement in Dutchess County to begin May 1

Traffic Alert: Bridge replacement in Dutchess County to begin May 1

0:26
Spring Valley man convicted for violating order of protection and resisting arrest

Spring Valley man convicted for violating order of protection and resisting arrest

0:23
'Inappropriate' behavior by students causes increase in Crawford police patrols

'Inappropriate' behavior by students causes increase in Crawford police patrols

0:49
Yonkers charter school launches automotive career exploration program

Yonkers charter school launches automotive career exploration program

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

2:01
Orange County hosts crime victims' vigil

Orange County hosts crime victims' vigil

0:37
Authorities: Man severely burned outside sports complex in Warwick

Authorities: Man severely burned outside sports complex in Warwick

0:29
Netflix to film parts of conspiracy thriller 'Zero Day' in Nyack on Wednesday

Netflix to film parts of conspiracy thriller 'Zero Day' in Nyack on Wednesday

1:45
A closer look at 4 laws in approved NY state budget designed to combat retail theft

A closer look at 4 laws in approved NY state budget designed to combat retail theft

2:41
Kindness never goes out of style: Social media request helps provide prom dresses for kids with special needs

Kindness never goes out of style: Social media request helps provide prom dresses for kids with special needs