Elizabeth Smart: Wanda Barzee Will Be Watched After Prison Release

Elizabeth Smart talks to the press outside of federal court after the sentencing of kidnapper Brian David Mitchell on May 25, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (George Frey/Getty Images)

Tuesday, 18 September 2018 12:09 PM EDT ET

Elizabeth Smart says she's been assured that Wanda Barzee, the woman who helped kidnap her when she was 14 and stood by as she was sexually assaulted, will be watched when she's released from prison.

In an interview Tuesday on "CBS This Morning," Smart says she believes Wanda Barzee remains a danger. Barzee is expected to be freed Wednesday after 15 years in custody because Utah authorities had miscalculated the amount of time the 72-year-old woman should serve.

Smart says that she doesn't know all the conditions of Barzee's release but that she's been told that a federal agent will keep a "close eye" on Barzee and that she would be returned to prison "as soon as she messes up."

Barzee was married to Brian David Mitchell when he kidnapped Smart in 2002. He is serving a life sentence.

This story has been updated to correct the kidnapper's last name to Mitchell, instead of Mitchel.

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Elizabeth Smart says she's been assured that Wanda Barzee, the woman who helped kidnap her when she was 14 and stood by as she was sexually assaulted, will be watched when she's released from prison.
elizabeth smart, wanda barzee, kidnapping, prison
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2018-09-18
Tuesday, 18 September 2018 12:09 PM
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