![FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2009, file photo, Patty and Jerry Wetterling show a photo of their son Jacob Wetterling, who was abducted in October of 1989 in St. Joseph, Minn and is still missing, in Minneapolis. Patty Wetterling said Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 that his remains have been found. Daniel Heinrich, who authorities have called a person of interest in the 1989 kidnapping, denied any involvement and was not charged with that crime. But he has pleaded not guilty to several federal child pornography charges. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig, File): FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2009, file photo, Patty and Jerry Wetterling show a photo of their son Jacob Wetterling, who was abducted in October of 1989 ]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"73","h":"61","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAizD7a.img?h=609&w=728&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1117&y=725"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"52","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAizD7a.img?h=522&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1117&y=725"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"52","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAizD7a.img?h=522&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1117&y=725"}}) |
| Patty and Jerry Wetterling show a photo of their son Jacob Wetterling, who was abducted in October of 1989. © The Associated Press |
Danny Heinrich agreed to confess to killing the
11-year-old boy — setting in motion a flurry of difficult negotiations between
defense attorneys, investigators and prosecutors that would put him behind bars
for decades and finally unlock the secrets to a mystery that has long haunted
the state of Minnesota.
"This was not an opportunity we could pass
up," U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said. "After almost 27 years, Danny
Heinrich was willing to talk, and we had to grab the moment."
According to the news, Heinrich, 53, admitted
Tuesday that he abducted, sexually assaulted and shot Jacob to death in 1989,
then buried the boy's body in a field in rural central Minnesota. The
confession came as part of a plea agreement in which Heinrich will likely get
20 years in prison on a federal child pornography charge when he's sentenced in
November, but will not be prosecuted on state murder charges. Following his
prison sentence, a civil commitment is possible, meaning he could spend the
rest of his life in custody.
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