One of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnappers, Wanda Barzee, was released Wednesday shortly after 8 a.m. from the Utah State Prison after spending more than 15 years locked up for her crimes.
Barzee has admitted to helping her husband, Brian David Mitchell, kidnap then-14-year-old Smart from her Salt Lake City bedroom at knifepoint in 2002.
Mitchell raped Smart almost daily during nine months of captivity, which included a journey to California and back to Utah. Smart was rescued — and Mitchell and Barzee arrested — after the three were spotted on a Sandy street in March 2003.
Barzee has been in custody since her arrest — either in jails, prisons or the Utah State Hospital.