Elizabeth Smart, Father, React To Barzee’s Release
Sep 19, 2018, 4:01 PM | Updated: 9:31 pm
DRAPER, Utah – Moments after the release of one of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnappers, Wanda Barzee, Smart posted this reaction on Instagram:
Her father, Ed Smart, echoed his daughter’s sentiments, “I mean we’re grateful for the support we’ve had. A lot of people have said how unhappy they are about this – I mean even her family. I remember back at the initial hearing, the parole hearing, meeting one of Wanda’s daughters, who said, she shared with us this letter which she said, ‘she should never be getting out.’”
Ed Smart gave a statement about the release of Wanda Barzee
Ed Smart says he’s disturbed by his belief that Barzee is still in the same mental state as she was when she kidnapped his daughter. But, he says he is grateful for federal authorities who will be keeping an eye on her. He says as part of the parole, she’ll have to comply with them or else she will find her way back in prison.
“It is what it is and one day she was going to get out regardless,” he said.
Smart says he believes it’s very important for parents to talk to their kids, “I feel like your children need choices. They need to understand what they can and can’t do in perspective with bad things happening.”
Conversations he says he wished he had with his daughter before her abduction, “Certainly, certainly, I can look back and say what could I have done differently. I think if we don’t look back and understand what those potentials are we’re leaving our children at risk and for the most part I don’t think anyone wants to leave their children at risk.”
Smart says he and Elizabeth are currently working with a shelter in Nepal and a potential shelter in Salt Lake.
