Latest news with #ElizabethSmartFoundation
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Where Is Elizabeth Smart Now? Inside Her Life as a Mom-of-3 Over Two Decades After Her Teenage Abduction
At 14 years old, Elizabeth Smart was abducted by Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee on June 5, 2002 She was found by authorities nine months later, and her kidnappers were later sentenced to time in prison Now a married mother of three, Smart is a vocal victims' rights advocate and founder of the Elizabeth Smart FoundationElizabeth Smart sprang into the public's consciousness in June 2002 after the then-14-year-old was kidnapped by Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. Smart was subjected to daily rapes and often abused and starved throughout her 9-month ordeal. In March 2003, she was found by authorities while walking the streets of Utah and reunited with her family. Since then, Smart has built a legacy for herself as a survivor and advocate for others. She is also a married mother of three children. Still, the horror she went through is never far from her mind, even many years later. 'I have great days. I have not good days. I've got three kids that I love and drive me crazy,' she told PEOPLE in June 2024 with a laugh. 'No, they're the best part of life.' Smart also considers the day of her rescue, March 12, a "happy day." 'March 12th is to me a reminder that miracles happen and that there are many good things to be grateful for. And it's a bright moment in the dull month of March," she shared. Here's a look at Elizabeth Smart's life over two decades since her kidnapping. In June 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Mitchell and Barzee. Her sister, Mary Katherine, was the only witness to her abduction. The story dominated headlines at the time. Following her return home, Smart became involved in activism, advocating for the AMBER Alert System and supporting recovery programs. Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011. The organization works towards an end to sexual assault and victimization. Her kidnapping has inspired several made-for-TV movies, and she published her memoir in 2013. Smart was kidnapped on June 5, 2002, from her home in Utah, though Mitchell and Barzee eventually took her to California. She later told ABC that the night of her kidnapping was bizarre. 'It couldn't actually be real,' she explained. She added that Mitchell said he would kill her family if she attempted to escape. Smart was eventually found only miles from her home in Sandy, Utah, on March 12, 2003. Smart's captors subjected her to rape daily, something that drove her to the point of contemplating suicide. In an 2017 interview with fellow survivor Daisy Coleman, she explained, 'For me, because I grew up in a very conservative Christian neighborhood, the first time I was raped I remember feeling devastated.' 'I felt like it would be better to be dead than to continue living being a rape victim, being a rape survivor,' she added. 'I felt in that moment if there had been an easy way out, I probably would have taken it.' Smart was found when a couple saw Mitchell walking down the street in Sandy, Utah, with two women. Though Smart was forced to wear a veil over her face, the couple recognized Mitchell from a composite sketch shared on America's Most Wanted. 'We think we found a homeless girl that might be Elizabeth,' Smart's father Ed recalled the police telling him in his 2003 book. He wrote, 'She looked like a homeless girl … I wasn't certain at first that it was her. I went over and put my arms around her and just started bawling. I held her back, looked her in the eyes, and said, 'Is it really you, Elizabeth?' " Smart is now a married mom of three. She and her husband, Matthew Gilmour, first met in Paris, where she reportedly was a missionary for the Church of Latter-Day Saints in 2009. Gilmour later said that as a native of Scotland, he didn't know who Smart was when they met. He told PEOPLE in 2012, 'The thing that attracted me the most to her — at the beginning and now — is how confident she is, especially considering everything she has been through.' Gilmour proposed in 2012. The couple moved to Park City, Utah, after their wedding and have since welcomed three children: daughters Chloe and Olivia, and son James. 'My children have brought so much happiness and joy. To me, they're the very definition of love," she told PEOPLE shortly after welcoming her son. After her kidnapping, Smart produced the Lifetime movie I Am Elizabeth Smart about the ordeal. She has also published a second book, Where There's Hope, about what happened to her. Smart has also remained vocal about the punishment for her captors. While Mitchell is currently serving a life sentence in prison, in 2018, a judge ruled that Barzee could be released from prison. "To my knowledge she has neither complied with medication or treatment and as someone who has experienced first hand just how depraved she truly is, I believe her to be a threat and a danger not just to myself but to the community, any vulnerable person," Smart said of the ruling at the time. In May 2025, Barzee was arrested for visiting two Salt Lake City parks in the month of April. One week after the arrest, Smart broke her silence on Instagram, saying in a video, "Wanda Barzee was recently arrested for entering a public park in Salt Lake City, a place where she's legally barred from going because she's a registered sex offender. Her justification was that she was commanded by the Lord, which unfortunately, is very familiar to me and is probably the most concerning thing, because that's how they justified kidnapping me." If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wanda Barzee, kidnapper of Elizabeth Smart, charged after claiming she was ‘commanded by God' to enter public park illegally
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Wanda Barzee, the woman convicted of kidnapping then 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart with her husband in 2002, was arrested and booked into jail on May 1, according to court records. She was charged today, May 9, for the alleged crime. On May 1, Barzee, 79, was booked into jail for allegedly violating Sex Offender Registry requirements by visiting parks in Salt Lake City. Brent Weisberg, spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department, said detectives arrested her at her home without incident. She was officially charged today, May 9, in Salt Lake County with two counts of violation by sex offender of protected area (class A misdemeanor). Documents say she told police she went to Liberty Park to feed ducks in early April because 'she was commanded to by the Lord.' Barzee allegedly also admitted to visiting Sugarhouse Park. RLEATED: Elizabeth Smart Foundation releases statement and video addressing Barzee arrest Barzee became a registered sex offender after she was convicted for her involvement in the kidnapping and rape of Smart. She served 15 years in prison before being released in 2018. At the , Elizabeth Smart asked the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole not to release her, saying she was a danger, but officials said Barzee had served her sentence and there was nothing to keep her in prison. She was on probation for five years after her release and was required to participate in a mental health program. According to Utah law, registered child sex offenders are prohibited from going to areas where children congregate — such as parks and schools. Offenders convicted of violating this law are subject to a class A misdemeanor charge, which can be punished with up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. In a three minute long video posted to the Foundation's Instagram page, Elizabeth Smart addresses the recent arrest of Barzee and the justification that Barzee used, which Smart says is a reminder of her past and a warning of the risk Barzee poses to the community. Here is the full statement from the Elizabeth Smart Foundation: We are deeply troubled by Wanda Barzee's recent actions. She entered public parks in Salt Lake City, which she is legally barred from due to her status as a registered sex offender. Barzee's justification that she was 'commanded by the Lord' is a reminder of her past and a warning of the risk she poses to the community. This incident highlights how crucial it is to enforce the sex offender registry, monitor release conditions, and evaluate individuals convicted of crimes like Barzee's. It also emphasizes exactly why we must listen to and center survivors in our legal process. We want to thank the Salt Lake City Police Department, and Chief Redd, for their responsible handling of this incident. Their professionalism, attentiveness, and trauma-informed approach speak to their commitment to survivor-centered practices. At the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, we believe in a future where all survivors of sexual violence are heard, believed, and supported—and where systems are built not just around legal technicalities, but around true justice. Many survivors live without justice for the harm done to them, and their perpetrators are never arrested. We often say for survivors of sexual violence and exploitation, we have more of a legal system than a justice system. But, we also believe in the possibility of change. We are building that change by promoting survivor-informed policies, expanding education and prevention programs, and working with law enforcement, communities, and survivors to create a safer, more compassionate world. Elizabeth Smart has continually expressed concern over Wanda Barzee's release. Barzee's violation affirms the need for ongoing reforms to protect survivors and prevent further trauma. At the same time, it reminds us that solutions are possible when communities, leaders, and institutions come together with a shared commitment to do better. We urge policymakers, justice officials, and the public to take incidents like this seriously—especially in cases that are not as widely publicized as Elizabeth Smart's. There is an urgent, broad need for reform. Survivors deserve to live without fear. They deserve to thrive. Together, we can build systems that not only protect them but also uplift them. Elizabeth often remembers advice that her mother gave her after she was rescued. She said, 'Don't you let them steal one more second of your life. Not one more second! You be happy. You move on.' Elizabeth is pleased to report that she is indeed happy, and lives a fulfilling life with her family, and does not live in fear of her captors. Rule banning off road vehicles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area overturned Petiton started to bring the 'town' back to SLC's Japantown Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as details emerge of how conclave votes coalesced Pope's brother answers burning local question: Chicago White Sox or Cubs fan? Sweat out the toxins and revive with SWTHZ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Elizabeth Smart Breaks Silence on Kidnapper's Recent Arrest
Originally appeared on E! Online Elizabeth Smart is not letting her past trauma keep her down. One week after Wanda Barzee—who kidnapped a then-14-year-old Smart in 2002 and held her captive for nine months—was arrested for violating the terms of her sex offender status by visiting two Utah public parks, according to online booking records viewed by E! News at the time, Smart shared her thoughts on the troubling situation. 'I want to begin by saying thank you to everyone for your continued support. I never, ever take it for granted,' the 37-year-old said in a video shared to her Elizabeth Smart Foundation's Instagram May 8. 'Her justification was that she was 'commanded by the Lord,' which unfortunately, is very familiar to me and is probably the most concerning thing, because that's how they justified kidnapping me.' Smart also noted that 'this incident confirms exactly why' she has been 'vocal' about her concerns with Barzee—who pleaded guilty in 2009 to kidnapping and unwarranted transportation of a minor, according to a statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—since she was released in 2018 after serving only a portion of her 15-year sentence. More from E! Online Pregnant Jessa Duggar Addresses Claim She and Ben Seewald Are 'Breeding Like Rabbits' Shirtless Jason Kelce Shows Off Almost 30-Pound Weight Loss Transformation Since NFL Retirement Bryan Kohberger Case: Fellow Student Reveals "Peculiar" Text Exchange With Him Before Idaho Murders (Barzee's husband, Brian David Mitchell—who, Smart testified in 2009, raped her daily throughout her nine-month captivity—is currently serving a life sentence for interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor.) Despite her worries, Smart praised local authorities for their handling of the situation. 'I am so grateful to the Salt Lake Police Department and Chief [Brian] Redd for their quick and professional response,' she shared. 'They handled this situation with a trauma-informed approach, which means so much to me personally. When authorities take these situations, these violations, seriously, it sends a very powerful message that survivor safety matters.' After calling for more progress to be made within the legal justice system to protect survivors of sexual violence, Smart noted she refuses to let Barzee's recent resurfacing impact the joy she has found in life. 'Personally, this situation for me, I turned back to the advice my own mother gave me the day after I was rescued,' Smart shared. 'She said, 'They've already stolen nine months of your life away from you. Do not let them steal another second. You need to move forward with your life and you need to be happy.'' She added, 'I have always tried to follow that advice to the best of my ability. So, although this situation has arisen, I refuse to live my life in fear. I refuse to allow anyone to stop me from living.' For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘I refuse to live my life in fear': Elizabeth Smart addresses recent Wanda Barzee arrest
Elizabeth Smart says her kidnapper Wanda Barzee's reasoning for recently visiting two Salt Lake parks — a violation of Barzee's sex offender registry status — is something she has heard before. 'Her justification was she was commanded by the Lord, which unfortunately is very familiar to me and is probably the most concerning thing because that's how they justified kidnapping me. I feel like I've been vocal about my concerns since Barzee's initial release, and this incident confirms exactly why," Smart said. Thursday night, Smart publicly addressed Barzee's arrest last week by posting a video message to the Elizabeth Smart Foundation's Instagram page and a corresponding statement on the foundation's website. Smart hopes the arrest will serve as a reminder that survivors need to be a top priority in the legal system. Barzee, 79, who was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail under the name Wanda Mitchell, was arrested last week for investigation of being a sex offender in a protected area. Barzee was spotted in April in Liberty Park and Sugar House Park, places she is forbidden to visit because she is a registered sex offender. She 'admitted that she went to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City … because 'she was commanded to by the Lord,'' and also 'admitted to going to the park to sit on benches and feed ducks. (Barzee) also admitted to going to Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City after being 'commanded' to,' according to a police booking affidavit. Barzee and her husband, Brian David Mitchell, kidnapped then-14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her home in 2002 and held her captive until their arrests nine months later. Mitchell claimed he was commanded by God to take Smart. After years of court battles over her competency, Barzee pleaded guilty in federal court in 2009 to kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor. In 2011, Brian Mitchell was sentenced to life in federal prison. In 2010, Barzee was found competent to proceed in a separate state court case against her. She pleaded guilty and mentally ill in state court to the 2002 attempted kidnapping of Smart's cousin and was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. After completing her federal prison sentence, Barzee returned to Utah State Prison in April 2016. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole gave Barzee credit for her time served in federal prison and released her on Sept. 19, 2018, after serving her complete sentence. On Thursday, Smart thanked the Salt Lake City Police Department and Chief Brian Redd for their 'quick and professional response.' 'They handled this situation with a trauma-informed approach, which means so much to me personally,' Smart said. 'When authorities take these situations seriously, it sends a very powerful message that survivor safety matters.' However, while Smart recognizes that 'my case received so much attention … the sad truth is most survivors never see their perpetrators arrested, let alone convicted,' she said, calling the process 'more of a legal system than a justice system.' 'But, we also believe in the possibility of change,' she said on her website. Smart hopes that policymakers and other community leaders will use Barzee's arrest as an example for why survivors need to be front and center in the legal system, and also use her arrest as a reminder 'that sex offender registries and release conditions exist for important reasons.' 'I believe in a future where all survivors can be heard, believed and supported,' Smart said. As for her personal feelings on Barzee's new violations, Smart says she's not going to waste time worrying about them. 'I turned back to the advice my own mother gave me the day I was rescued, where she said, 'They've already stolen nine months of your life away from you. Do not let them steal another second. You need to move forward with your life and you need to be happy.' And I have always tried to follow that advice to the best of my ability. So, although this situation has arisen, I refuse to live my life in fear.' Barzee filed for divorce from Brian David Mitchell in 2004 after their arrests. However, the case was dismissed in 2010 because Mitchell was never served, according to court records, making them still legally married.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah Catholics react to election of Pope Leo XIV
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — After Thursday's election of Pope Leo XIV, some Catholics are optomistic about the new Pontiff, the first one from the United States. 'I was shocked there was one from the United States …that's unheard of and was one of the younger countries of the church,' Michele Hoff said. Parishioners reflect on the symbolism of the name Leo. 'Choosing Leo was huge because that is a string name that means doctrinal clarity, so I thought that was nice because having clarity is important,' Hoff said. Utah Catholic Bishop reacts to Pope Leo XIV Another parishioner, Will Kocher, agrees. 'The choice of name means he's going to advocate for working families and people across the globe,' Kocher said. He hopes the new pope will advocate for better treatment for workers, as Kocher works with labor groups. 'We supported workers' rights and advocated for workers' safety for the formation of labor unions which I'm hoping this new pope will also do,' Kocher said. Hoff adds that she is ready for whatever comes next with the new Pope. 'There's a lot of tension between traditional Catholic ways and where we are now so I'm hoping for a unity in bringing all pieces together,' Hoff said. Latest Headlines: Utah Catholics react to election of Pope Leo XIV Elizabeth Smart Foundation releases statement and video addressing Barzee arrest Two Utahns who took in dogs from Ogden hoarding situation share their stories 48 puppies flown from overcrowded Arizona shelter to Utah Motorcyclist killed in crash on State Street in Sandy Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
