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Elizabeth Smart Speaks Out After Wanda Barzee’s Brief Re-Arrest
Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped at age 14 by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, has spoken out after Barzee’s recent re-arrest and subsequent release. Barzee, 79, violated her parole by visiting local parks, locations she is prohibited from frequenting as a registered sex offender.
In an Instagram story, Smart expressed gratitude to the Salt Lake City Police Department for their “quick and appropriate response.” She noted that Barzee’s justification for being at the park – that she was “commanded by the Lord” – was deeply concerning, echoing the reasoning used by Barzee and Mitchell to justify Smart’s kidnapping. Smart stated this incident validates her previous concerns regarding Barzee’s release.
Smart praised law enforcement’s “trauma-informed approach” in handling the situation and emphasized the importance of taking parole violations seriously. She pointed out that while her case garnered significant attention, many survivors never see their perpetrators brought to justice. Smart urged policymakers to recognize the importance of sex offender registries and release conditions in ensuring public safety.