Elizabeth Smart shares how she teaches her three kids about safety after surviving one of the most heavily publicized kidnapping ordeals in an exclusive interview with In Touch.
“It is a struggle because I don’t want them to be scared of the world,” says Elizabeth, 37. “But at the same time, I want them to realize that not everyone is a good person.”
Elizabeth was 14 years old when she was kidnapped at knifepoint on June 3, 2002, from the bed of her Utah home and held captive by street pastor Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. Nine months later, Elizabeth was rescued by police on March 12, 2003, on a public street in Sandy, Utah, after two witnesses recognized Mitchell, 71, and Barzee, 79, from an America’s Most Wanted episode.
Years after the traumatic incident, Elizabeth is dedicated to building a fulfilling life as she raises her three children — Chloe, 10, James, 8, and Olivia, 6— alongside her husband of 13 years, Matthew Gilmour. In their home, discussions about body autonomy, boundaries, and consent are a common topic, fostering an environment of trust and empowerment.
“I’m always talking to them about how there is nothing wrong or bad or ugly about your body,” she explains, “and nobody has the right to touch it.”
Not even their loved ones. Statistically, children are more likely to be hurt by someone they know, Elizabeth notes.
“If it was someone close to you, and your daughter came to you and was like, ‘Mom, he scares me’ or ‘He gives really weird hugs,’ do you have a plan in place?” she asks parents. “Is that person welcome at your home anymore? Are you comfortable leaving your child alone with that person? These are things that are really important to talk about with your partner or spouse and your children.”
Elizabeth’s captor was not a stranger to her world—Mitchell had briefly worked as a roofer at the Smart family home for a day in 2001. She was reportedly held captive on the outskirts of Salt Lake City and in San Diego County, California. Mitchell repeatedly raped Elizabeth during her captivity at a camp in the woods and threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.
On March 18, 2003, Mitchell and his wife were charged with aggravated kidnapping, burglary and sexual assault. Years later in November 2009, Barzee pleaded guilty to assisting in Elizabeth’s kidnapping as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. She was sentenced to serve 15 years in federal prison and was given credit for seven years that she had already served. Barzee was released in 2018.
As for Mitchell, he was found guilty of kidnapping and sexual assault and sentenced to two life terms in federal prison in May 2011.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.
