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Elizabeth Smart: Accomplice in my kidnapping will be watched

Posted September 18, 2018 1:00 am

Associated Press

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the kidnapper's last name to Mitchell, instead of Mitchel.

NEW YORK - Elizabeth Smart says she's been assured that the woman who helped kidnap her when she was 14 and stood by as she was sexually assaulted will be watched when she's released from prison.

In an interview Tuesday on "CBS This Morning," Smart says she believes Wanda Barzee remains a danger. Barzee is expected to be freed Wednesday after 15 years in custody because Utah authorities had miscalculated the amount of time the 72-year-old woman should serve.

Smart says that she doesn't know all the conditions of Barzee's release but that she's been told that a federal agent will keep a "close eye" on Barzee and that she would be returned to prison "as soon as she messes up."

Barzee was married to Brian David Mitchell when he kidnapped Smart in 2002. He is serving a life sentence.

FILE - This April 8, 2016, file photo, provided by Utah State Prison shows Wanda Barzee. Appearing in an interview Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, on "CBS This Morning," Elizabeth Smart said she believes Barzee remains a danger. Barzee is expected to be freed Wednesday after 15 years in custody because Utah authorities had miscalculated the amount of time the woman should serve. (Utah State Prison via AP, File)

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