Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper arrested for probation violation related to sex offender status.

Wanda Barzee, the woman implicated in the high-profile kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart in 2002, has recently been arrested in Salt Lake City, Utah, for violating the conditions of her sex offender probation. Law enforcement officials reported that Barzee was apprehended at her residence on a Thursday after she allegedly frequented Liberty Park and Sugar House Park within the city last month. According to police accounts, Barzee claimed to have been instructed by divine command to visit these parks, where she intended to “sit on benches and feed ducks.”

Under Utah law, individuals classified as registered sex offenders are prohibited from accessing designated “protected areas,” including public parks. This legal framework ultimately led to Barzee being booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on the charge of violating her probation terms. Following her arrest, she was released with strict stipulations, committing not to engage in any criminal activities. Moreover, Barzee is required to make weekly phone check-ins and attend all forthcoming court appearances.

The background of Barzee and her husband, Brian David Mitchell, is marred by their notorious crimes against Elizabeth Smart, who was just 14 years old when she was abducted from her own home at knifepoint on June 5, 2002. During her nine months in captivity, Smart endured numerous traumatic experiences, including sexual assaults. Mitchell is currently serving a life sentence in federal prison for his role in the kidnapping, while Barzee opted for a plea deal to avoid a potential longer sentence. She was incarcerated for 15 years before her parole was granted in September 2018—a decision that has drawn criticism from Smart in subsequent years.

Smart has publicly expressed her concerns regarding Barzee’s early release, emphasizing the gravity of Barzee’s actions during the captivity. She articulated her disbelief that someone who took part in such a horrific crime could simply excuse their actions with an apology.

As the legal ramifications unfold for Barzee following this latest incident, the case continues to underscore the complexities and challenges of managing sex offender probation and the ongoing impact on victims of such crimes. The public remains keenly interested in the implications for both Barzee and the ongoing discussion surrounding the rights and restrictions placed on sex offenders in the state and beyond.

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