Wanda Barzee attended a competency hearing in Judge Judith Atherton’s court on February 8, 2010, in Salt Lake City. The individual who had abducted and held Elizabeth Smart captive for nine months in the early 2000s was apprehended in Utah this week after reportedly visiting two parks, which violated her status as a sex offender. Barzee, 79, was taken into custody at her residence in Salt Lake City on Thursday and charged with breaching the restrictions placed on sex offenders in Utah, according to a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department. Utah law prohibits registered sex offenders from entering certain areas, including public parks.
Detectives were informed that Barzee had allegedly visited Liberty Park and Sugar House Park in April. Records from the Salt Lake County Metro Jail show that Barzee is no longer detained. It is uncertain whether she was released on bail or has legal representation. The spokesperson mentioned that court records indicate she was released based on judicial orders.
Barzee was convicted of state and federal offenses and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in 2010 for her involvement in the abduction. She was released from prison in 2018. Barzee’s spouse, Brian David Mitchell, is serving a life sentence for the abduction and assaults against Smart.
Smart was forcibly taken from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in 2002. Her kidnapping and subsequent disappearance became a global news story. Approximately nine months later, Smart was spotted walking with Mitchell in a Salt Lake City suburb. During her captivity, Smart endured numerous instances of sexual assault by Mitchell. Following Barzee’s release from prison, Smart revealed that the woman had encouraged her spouse to continue the assaults.
Now 37, Smart has become a prominent advocate against child abduction and sexual violence.
