Wanda Barzee, the infamous female kidnapper in the United States, has been captured in a new police mugshot for violating her license terms. In the updated entry on the Utah Sex Offender Registry, the 80-year-old Barzee appeared cheerful, a stark contrast to her previous shocked demeanor in a 2003 photo taken after being convicted for abducting Elizabeth Smart when she was 14.
Barzee, who served only 15 years for her involvement in Smart’s nine-month ordeal before being released in 2018, breached the registry rules by visiting two parks, which are restricted areas for convicted sex offenders in Utah. Smart, responding swiftly through her foundation’s Instagram page, criticized Barzee’s claim that she was “commanded by the Lord” to enter the parks, noting that this was the same reasoning used during her captivity.
Expressing gratitude for the quick police action, Smart emphasized the importance of taking such violations seriously to ensure survivor safety. She called on lawmakers and officials to uphold the purpose of sex offender registries and release conditions for public safety. Despite the recent events, Smart remains determined not to let fear dictate her life, echoing her mother’s advice to live freely despite the past trauma.
Smart’s abduction by Brian David Mitchell, who posed as a preacher, involved being dragged from her home at knifepoint, enduring physical and psychological abuse, including rape, shackling, and forced captivity in deplorable conditions. Rescued after nine months, Smart has since become a prominent advocate for women’s and children’s safety, sharing her story to raise awareness about abuse and empower others.
Meanwhile, Mitchell, serving a life sentence without parole since 2010, recently faced attacks in prison, leading to his transfer from the US penitentiary in Terre Haute. Despite being housed in “protected” units, Mitchell encountered violence, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the prison system.