Elizabeth Smart is not letting her past trauma keep her down.
A week following the arrest of Wanda Barzee, who was involved in kidnapping a 14-year-old girl named Smart back in 2002 and kept her imprisoned for nearly nine months due to violating her sex offender rules by visiting two Utah public parks as per records, TopMob News reported. In response to this unsettling incident, Smart expressed her feelings publicly.
The individual expressed gratitude at the beginning, acknowledging everyone’s ongoing support, which she doesn’t take for granted. She made this statement in a video posted on her Elizabeth Smart Foundation’s Instagram account on May 8th. She further explained that her captor used similar justifications as those who took her, stating they were ‘commanded by the Lord.’ This, she noted, was particularly concerning since it mirrored how her own kidnapping was justified.
Smart likewise pointed out that this incident underscores precisely why she has been outspoken regarding Barzee’s case, given that Barzee admitted guilt for kidnapping and taking a minor across state lines in 2009, as stated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was released in 2018 after serving only part of her fifteen-year sentence.
(Barzee’s spouse, Brian David Mitchell – who, according to Smart’s testimony in 2009, raped her every day during the nine months she was held captive – is now serving a life sentence for kidnapping across state lines and transporting a minor illegally.)
Despite her worries, Smart praised local authorities for their handling of the situation.
As a grateful individual, I can’t help but express my heartfelt thanks to the Salt Lake Police Department and Chief Brian Redd for their swift and proficient action in handling the situation. Their trauma-informed approach truly resonates with me on a personal level. It’s reassuring to know that when authorities take such incidents seriously, it underscores the importance they place on survivor safety, sending a strong message that we are valued and protected.
After advocating for further advancements in the legal justice system for the protection of survivors of sexual violence, Smart emphasized that Barzee’s recent reappearance will not dampen the happiness she has discovered in her life.
In her own words, Smart recounted the wisdom she held close: “My mother advised me after my rescue, ‘The last nine months have been taken from you. Don’t allow them to take any more time. Embrace moving forward in your life and find happiness.’
She stated, “I’ve consistently strived to adhere to that counsel as fully as possible. Consequently, even though this predicament arose, I choose not to let fear dictate my life. I choose not to let anyone impede me from living freely.
Read More
- Solo Leveling Season 3: What You NEED to Know!
- OM PREDICTION. OM cryptocurrency
- Oblivion Remastered: The Ultimate Race Guide & Tier List
- Rachel Zegler Claps Back at Critics While Ignoring Snow White Controversies!
- How to Get to Frostcrag Spire in Oblivion Remastered
- Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast’s Surprising Best Roles and Streaming Guides!
- Moana 3: Release Date, Plot, and What to Expect
- Captain America: Brave New World’s Shocking Leader Design Change Explained!
- Oshi no Ko Season 3: Release Date, Cast, and What to Expect!
- Doctor Doom’s Unexpected Foe: The Dark Dimension’s Ultimate Challenge Revealed!
2025-05-10 01:47