This week, one of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnappers was released from prison. In 2002, when Smart was just 14 years old, she was taken from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Wanda Barzee and her husband, Brian David Mitchell. She was held until 2003 and was raped and tormented the entire time.
Barzee, who served 15 years in jail, not only sat nearby while Mitchell raped Smart, but encouraged him to keep doing so, according to the victim. Now that she is a free woman, she is a registered sex offender.
WANDA BARZEE IS FREE:
As of 8:05am, Barzee was freed from a Utah State Prison.
She is now a registered sex offender.
She was convicted of co-kidnapping & unlawful transportation of Elizabeth Smart.
Here’s what’s next for Barzee: https://t.co/MAyWjjJ5YH pic.twitter.com/0SLiR8TDoi— Jim Spiewak (@JimSpiewak) September 19, 2018
When Smart learned of Barzee’s imminent release from prison, she was not happy with the news:
Smart was shocked to find out her captor would be released from prison so soon, saying last week, "I would urge the powers that be and anyone who works under them to really strongly reconsider this situation." https://t.co/crOJHmTSd7 pic.twitter.com/uuruXMm98f
— ABC News (@ABC) September 19, 2018
Barzee and Mitchell treated Smart like a slave and “handmaiden” when she was being held captive.
Smart said in a news conference last week that Barzee saw her as a slave, and called her a "handmaiden."
"She did appalling things while I was in captivity," Smart said. "I know the depth of her depravity." https://t.co/crOJHmTSd7
— ABC News (@ABC) September 19, 2018
When Barzee was sentenced 15 years ago, she had to write a letter of apology to Smart. But the victim was unmoved by the short, heartless “I’m sorry” she received after the ordeal she had experienced at the hands of Barzee and Mitchell.
Elizabeth Smart still doesn't believe the apology she was given from her captor Wanda Barzee, who will be released today after 15 years behind bars. –– @CBSThisMorning https://t.co/KKX7Uyj6HG pic.twitter.com/B2ldyxhnc5
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 19, 2018
News cameras were expecting to get a glimpse of Barzee when she was released, but she was never seen. It is believed that the jail arranged for her to be bused elsewhere for her release to avoid the press.
With news crews camped out at prison and no sign of Wanda Barzee, the likelihood is that for security reasons @UtahCorrections bused her off the property and released her. I was told earlier this week that was a possibility. It’s happened with other inmates.
— Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) September 19, 2018
Despite the fact that Barzee is now free, Brian David Mitchell is serving a life sentence.
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