One of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnappers living near school

SALT LAKE CITY — A woman who helped kidnap Elizabeth Smart is living several blocks from a Salt Lake City elementary school following her release from prison in September, according to Utah’s sex-offender registry. 

Wanda Barzee, 73, is listed in the registry as living in an apartment near the school after her initial placement in a halfway house. 

Wanda Barzee

She was released on parole much earlier than anticipated, despite her refusal to cooperate with mental health professionals while incarcerated. 

She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2010 after pleading guilty to helping her husband, street preacher Brian David Mitchell, who abducted Smart at knifepoint in 2002 when she was 14 and repeatedly raped her. 

Smart was held captive for nine months before she was found and rescued. 

Smart, now 31, has become a child safety advocate and is married with three young children. 

Smart said in a statement that people with a history of child abuse and sexual violence such as Barzee shouldn’t be allowed to live close to schools. 

“Every possible caution and protection should be taken when it comes to protecting our children.  Whether a person is deemed a current threat or if they have a history of child abuse, neglect, sexual violence, etc.,  prudent measures should be taken, including housing them as far away as possible from schools, families and community centers,” Smart said. 

Smart previously criticized Barzee’s release, which came more than five years earlier than expected.