Wanda Barzee Listed on Utah’s Sex Offender Registry Following Parole Violation
Wanda Barzee, known for her role in the notorious kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart in 2002, is now on Utah’s Sex Offender Registry. Recent photos show Barzee smiling, which has raised eyebrows given her criminal past.
The 79-year-old was taken into custody on May 1 after allegedly violating her parole by visiting several parks in Salt Lake City, which she is prohibited from doing as a registered sex offender. Following her arrest, Barzee is now required to check in weekly with authorities.
According to Brent Weisberg, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department, Barzee was found in two parks against state law. The police department is closely monitoring her situation in collaboration with various agencies.
Barzee and her husband, Brian David Mitchell, were arrested in 2003 after holding Smart captive for nine months, during which she suffered abuse. Smart later noted that Barzee not only facilitated the abuse but actively encouraged it.
The case received extensive media attention after Smart’s sister provided key information that led to Barzee and Mitchell’s identification. Despite their arrest in 2003, Barzee’s trials did not commence until several years later due to her mental health issues. She was eventually deemed fit to stand trial and pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges.
After serving time in Texas, she returned to Utah and was released in 2018, surprising many, including Smart, who had anticipated a longer sentence. Smart has expressed ongoing concerns about Barzee’s beliefs and potential threat to the public, highlighting that Barzee still idolizes Mitchell and has not moved past the trauma of her actions.
As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a grim reminder of the lasting impact of such crimes and the complexities of the justice system.
