UTAH STATE PRISON — Elizabeth Smart’s father was outside the room when a parole hearing was supposed to take place for convicted kidnapper Wanda Barzee on Tuesday morning.
Barzee did not leave her cell. Utah Department of Corrections staff said she also refused to cooperate with a new psychological evaluation.
Smart said he has heard Barzee still follows the teachings of fellow Elizabeth Smart kidnapper Brian David Mitchell. Mitchell is serving a life sentence in Arizona for the 2002 crime.
“Her refusal to come today seems to be an indicator that she is still of the same mindset back at the time that she took Elizabeth,” Smart said.
But Smart said they are not letting this whole process bring down their family.
“I think we are just moving on, and life is great. Occasionally something like this will happen, and we will deal with it as it comes,” he said.
Elizabeth and her husband have two children. She now acts as an advocate for survivors.
Barzee will remain in custody until the Parole Board makes a decision on whether to parole her, which seems unlikely, or set another hearing. Barzee’s sentence will expire on January 29, 2024.
Smart said he is not concerned about his family’s safety once Barzee is released, but does worry about whether she would do anything like this again.