Elizabeth Smart who vanished from Utah home found safe

Seattle Times ^ | March 12, 2003 | Mike Carter

[Shermy]

Elizabeth Smart, the 15-year-old Salt Lake City girl kidnapped from her home last June, had been held in a polygamous relationship by a man who believed God had told him to take her as another wife.

Police sources in Utah, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the man had kidnapped the girl more than 8 months ago and she was living with him and at least one other woman in a house in suburban Sandy, Utah, about 20 miles south of the girl’s home.

The girl was found alive — against all hope — in a car stopped by police.

“Miracles do exist,” said the girl's uncle, Tom Smart. He said the girl was in good condition.

Elizabeth was wearing a wig when police in Sandy pulled over the drifter, a man known as Emmanuel, authorities said. She was taken to the Salt Lake City police department, where her family was with her.

Brian David Mitchell

The man, whose real name is Brian David Mitchell, had worked “for about five hours” at the girl’s parents' luxurious home in the foothills near the state Capitol more than a year earlier, the source said. Police say he had become enamored of the girl at that time and prayed about taking her as another wife.

“It was a religious thing,” the source said. “This guy just wanted another wife and God told him this was the one.”

A month ago, the Smarts held a news conference where they released a sketch of Mitchell, who did work at their home in November 2001. As recently as yesterday, the family openly criticized police for not devoting enough attention to the former handyman.

Mitchell’s sister called authorities with his identity after the family’s Feb. 3 news conference. The man’s stepson gave investigators photos of Mitchell and said his stepfather was “capable” of kidnapping a child.

He also said Mitchell believes he is a prophet who needs to preach to the homeless and has no source of income other than handouts.

On the night of June 5, 2002, a man cut the screen in the girl’s bedroom window and climbed inside. Armed with a handgun, he took the child from her bed while her little sister, Mary Katherine, witnessed the kidnapping. The sister, afraid the man was still in the house, laid in bed for several hours before waking her parents and reporting the kidnapping.

Last month, Elizabeth’s younger sister was re-interviewed by detectives and told them that the man who broke into the bedroom that night resembled the man she knew as Emmanuel. Elizabeth Smart’s parents issued a new reward and released a sketch of the man.

Until then, police were disheartened over the disappearance. Their main suspect, a convicted burglar named Richard Albert Ricci, had died in prison of a brain hemorrhage last August. He had steadfastly denied any role in kidnapping the girl.

Investigators have said they believe Ricci was involved but may not have acted alone.

“They should have caught this guy by now,” said Tom Smart. “The police are too vested in Ricci.”

Elizabeth’s father, Ed, was less harsh but expressed his “frustration” at public statements made by police dismissing Mitchell as a potential suspect.

Police said they followed up more than 16,000 leads from the public in addition to those they came up with themselves.

Children’s advocates were elated by the good news.

“We are very, very relieved,” said Marilyn Ward, director of Child Search, a national missing children center based in Houston. “This should help the cause of missing children everywhere. We are thankful she’s alive. It gives hope to people to never give up.”

[Partisan Hack]

Gloria Allred just said "I only hope this girl was not abused sexually."

I almost fell over.

[Shermy]

There seems to be a little "buzz" about this rumor.

why help it? Anyway she looks chunky in the face, meaning usually fat gain, not pregnancy.

[homeschool mama]

Yep...kinda like sharing needles.

[stlnative]

I think they worked together (I think that is what he said... so the leak for the story may or may not have come from Tom Smart... the guy may also know other people who know Tom Smart, he did say he was so happy for the family that they have her back and he seemed to be very sincere on a personal level)

[MAKnight]

First of all, I'm happy she's safe and well.

But the question I want answerred is this: why didn't she attempt to get in contact with her family? Was she kept under lock and key all this time? How difficult is it to walk up to a cop, dial 911, or go up to a neighbor and say "I'm Elizabeth Smart"?

I'm beginning to suspect that she wasn't really "kidnapped" ... unless of course, she has been afflicted with Stockholm Syndrome since she disappeared.

[sweetliberty]

"Last year I told my friends I bet she was kidnapped for plural marriage."

That was foremost in my thoughts too, though it was just a hunch.

[rundy]

Sorry is screwed up the image post. Here it is again.

She is chunky as opposed to when she was taken.

[MAKnight]

Sounds like the life and times of Muhammad

Ignorance is an ugly thing ...

[Timeout]

Seattle reporter worked in SLC for "many years", per his appearance on Dan Abrams' show. He said he has lots of inside sources in SLC. One new thing he reported is that "authorities" in several states stopped the trio over the last few months, but Elizabeth gave them fake names.

LA Times is reporting that Wanda's daughter left to live with her father (not Brian) when she was 14. Her grown sons report that she was fixated on having another daughter. [Elizabeth was 14 when kidnapped.] I hope this story's correct, for the girl's sake.

[SarahW]

She probably is pregnant, and probably more than a little bit so. I hope God has mercy on her and that I am wrong.

[Shermy]

Patty Hearst? Malvo? This girl is younger than both of them. Plus I'd guess that manipulation and dehumanizing techniques are a strong suit of the man. Add the humiliation she suffered.

[motexva]

Well, at least "Emmanuel" wasn't starving her.

If you look at the classic "collector" scenario, they keep their victim in a state of near starvation. This makes them more malleable and controllable, also less likely to be able to physically overpower their abductor and escape.

I feel this is more evidence that this was a consensual situation. However, you take a minor from her parents, transport her across state lines, and very likely molest her - - you deserve the ultimate punishment.

[A_perfect_lady]

This girl would be further harmed by psychologists or psychiatrists, who are no better than voo-doo doctors.

A few are good, but for the most part, yes. Voodoo doctors indeed.

[homeschool mama]

I am free to visit any thread on FR. If you're posting and sharing incorrect information then I have the right to post about it.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Gloria Allred just said "I only hope this girl was not abused sexually."

I realize people want to assume the best case scenario but really she is being realistic. This guy didn't kidnap her to take her to Disneyland. It's almost a given she was assaulted.

[sweetliberty]

"Sounds like the life and times of Muhammad"

Indeed.

[SarahW]

So is raping little girls.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Why? When most people think of child abduction, they think of incest, rape and murder, as being the result. Evil people do not usually kidnap others, just to keep them, travel the country, get married, whatever. I hope she wasn't molested, beaten, brainwashed, abused, neglected, harmed, starved, etc. Any human would have to HOPE that her ordeal wasn't as terrifying as it could be. I imagine she lived through hell during the past nine months. I think she will need psychotherapy, family support, faith, and strength from within, to go on with her life. Praying for her.