The woman that helped kidnap her did NOT get enough prison time. And what a courageous and amazing woman Elizabeth is! Glad to see she’s doing great now! She has a beautiful family!

@cheynestafford515

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree, she should have got a life sentence too...

@aznmochibunny

Жыл бұрын

Worse is the woman who helped to kidnap her was allowed to live not even a mile away from an elementary school.

@bootstrappedfriend1752

Жыл бұрын

@@aznmochibunny not only allowed to live there, but isn't her housing provided for by benefits?

@michellehenich5522

Жыл бұрын

I know two friends who were murdered by the same person who got less time that lady. Give me a break!

@FirstNameLastName-wt5to

Жыл бұрын

@@michellehenich5522 And your take is oh well instead of we should be locking up murderers for a long time too? You need therapy hun.

I deeply appreciate that she addressed the disproportionate attention her story got compared to other victims and survivors. Good interview!

@RedEye3

Жыл бұрын

@@Prettymisskay Bcuz the damn media keeps pestering her every year and she accepts the interviews.

@drubert1981

Жыл бұрын

@@Prettymisskay Because she may feel it important to share her story to every fresh set of ears. Because when white children disappear they get a disproportionate amount of attention and until that changes and we give an equal amount of attention to all victims, someone ha to speak up. I'd rather someone with first hand experience say this. And I appreciate she does so.

@manofiske3318

Жыл бұрын

@@drubert1981 Oh, shut up you fool. 'White People' conceived, founded and were responsible for the construction of this nation, it is only natural that 'attention' remain focused upon the well-being of _their_ off-spring If you are so 'disproportionately' worried about the fate of non-white children, then go to the lands where they make up the majority so that you might devote 'a disproportionate amount of attention' to the disappeared among the population.

@drubert1981

Жыл бұрын

@@manofiske3318 wow. Aren’t you a nasty little critter. May the hate you foster only grow within your own heart and poison you and no one else. I’m not interested in correcting the erroneous statements of fools, for you’d be no better after the corrections. One can only pray that you are sterile and that your mind corrodes as quickly as possible. Peace and blessings to that heart of yours.

@javayna2353

Жыл бұрын

@@drubert1981 the families make this happen by persistence in making public appearances on behalf of their missing loved one. It’s not the media doing this work. It’s the families. If other missing persons aren’t getting attention it’s because their families are sitting in their asses waiting for society to do the work. If someone goes missing the family needs to get up and keep shouting and searching. The cops will not do it. A black family from our town searched for their abducted neice and they actually found her held captive and the family raided the place with guns and beat his ass and carried her out and took her to hospital. She was bear death. Thank God the family didn’t give up or wait in silence for her to be found! We can’t rely on the public!

Gosh 20 years I remember how I felt when I heard they found her It was a miracle

@linmonash1244

Жыл бұрын

Yes

@kimberlysevastyanenko3798

Жыл бұрын

I was at work and a coworker announced she'd been found alive. I didn't believe her. I was so relieved when I found it was true.

@jesusisgod4992

Жыл бұрын

Same. I remember that day. I was walking past a newspaper dispenser and seen her picture, her hair in braids.

@in..the.truth2023

Жыл бұрын

I do too. Look at her now.! I am so proud of her

@raynemichelle2996

Жыл бұрын

Same. I assumed she was dead when she was found at a Chuck A Rama.

She is 100 percent correct on education of the understanding of what rape is versus consent. Poor woman, my heart goes out to her!

@NoCommentaryInterrogations

Ай бұрын

Totally amazing woman. She took her trauma and has never stopped helping others!

Whoever Elizabeth Smart’s therapist was/is the whole world needs to go to! 😆 Seriously, what an amazingly “normal,” strong, kind, productive woman still after a type of trauma that would cripple most people for the remainder of their lives. She’s an inspiration to all.

@amberhultz8363

Жыл бұрын

Her parents.

@carrieberrykix

9 ай бұрын

In her book she said she never went to therapy. Her parents said they would do whatever she wanted, but she didn't feel like therapy was the right approach. She said she used horses.

@jackieyoung3359

9 ай бұрын

@@carrieberrykix Interesting! Being a lifelong horse person myself, I totally believe this. Horses (and dogs) are amazing animals that definitely have therapeutic qualities. Good for Elisabeth!

@HeatherHinds

6 ай бұрын

The Lord gave her the strength to get through.

@bornagain67

3 ай бұрын

The Lord and her stable parents.

What a remarkable young woman. It takes incredible strength to turn such a horrific experience into helping others. I’m sure it isnt pleasant to talk about but she does so to bring awareness and encourages others.

@richardchildress9031

Жыл бұрын

SO TRUE

@GD-xc4wg

Жыл бұрын

I think it helps to talk about it What does not help is ppl who tell victims its time to turn the page when no page will never be turned as its real thing and trauma. She is brave. She must have been so scared and I understand her about not believing ppl could actually do this. I was the same when I grew up and I was very naive. It made me cross the road of many predators and bad ppl. Parents really need to explain to their kids. Not just what is good and bad. Or ehat they should not do but instead why they should not do it and why ppl can be so mean and sick...

This woman is one of the strongest people I've ever seen. To go through what she did and still be so level-headed and well adjusted? That's remarkable. I hope her continued peace and blessings ❤️

@merebear87

7 ай бұрын

And she never had therapy!

@Nikki_with_the_blikki

7 ай бұрын

@@merebear87 that's WILD! She is truly amazing!

@peggyengelsen1100

6 ай бұрын

To fall into depression (after an incident like this) has nothing to do with missing strength.

@sophine7189

2 ай бұрын

​@peggyengelsen1100 come on now, don't take it personal. It take a mentally strong person to overcome trauma like this! Do not discredit her. Others have turned to a life of drugs and alcohol. They are weaker. Doesn't make them bad people but give credit where it's due! Given all that happened to her, she is STRONG!

What a remarkable young woman. To have survived that and NOT let it define nor destroy her life. Incredible!!!

@BrooklynAlien

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I remember she said her Mom said something to her that stuck with her. She said something like "that man took 9 months of your life. Don't let him take another day."

@eggberta

Жыл бұрын

@@BrooklynAlien total resilience...glad she has been able to not let this take over her life in a negative way, instead she turned it into a positive and helps others. Her Mum was so spot on with saying that.

@BrooklynAlien

Жыл бұрын

@@eggberta Yes! I literally use it when people piss me off and I want to spend the rest of the day hating them lol let it go ☺️

@mananimal3644

Жыл бұрын

I am amazed on how well adjusted she. Incredible strength that she will pass on to her daughters.👍🏿💯🙏🏿

@elainecoyle2704

Жыл бұрын

She is a testament of how her parents raised her.

Elizabeth has always handled herself with grace and dignity. She's such an inspiration 💗💗

@kylepowell9841

3 ай бұрын

I'm proud of her for surviving that terrible ordeal. I'm so glad she is doing better now. Found alive and her captures facing jail time.

What a blessing she was able to have children after all the physical trauma.

@thatgardeninggirl2864

Жыл бұрын

Her husband is a young man she met doing missionary work I think he's from Ireland he had no idea her ordeal I think she's been with him since she was probably in her late teens.

@EllieBellie_111

Жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure her body was not "ruined" if that's what you're implying.

@Gblack2014

Жыл бұрын

What a blessing that she was able to actually find a man she loved and have children outside of captivity. Jaycee Lee Duggard and Amanda Berry weren't so lucky.

@BrooklynAlien

Жыл бұрын

@@EllieBellie_111 She could have been too physically and mentally injured.

@donnabolt5847

Жыл бұрын

@@EllieBellie_111 i cant speak for t crowder, but I think was meant that its a blessing she was able to heal physically. sometimes the damage done physically and especially repeatedly can damage pretty significantly. I know of one woman whose entire peroneum was ripped, because of forced anal and vaginal penetration, pelvic floor completely destroyed that she had to undergo a hysterectomy.

I am a sexual violence prevention educator and for years I have been using clips of Elizabeth Smart in my classes for parents. I love having this updated clip above to use. Parents, clergy, teachers: LISTEN to her when she talks about the pain that abstinence-only education has caused her. She was raped, which was bad enough, but then laid there and reflected on the messages she was given saying that non-virgin girls are ruined and worthless. The psychological damage is huge. Glad to see she is thriving now. I understand sometimes parents support these Christian programs out of love, or to protect their kids, but it's misguided. Research tells us these programs don't support teens. They DO cause huge shame in survivors of rape, incest, and childhood sexual abuse. Please don't join child rapists in telling little girls they are worthless and dirty if they are victimized or have sex.

@kathibaker988

Жыл бұрын

Well said.

@fayturner6877

Жыл бұрын

@Kira -Lynn. Are you implying that God does not find everyone in his creation as valuable, worthy and made in His image? Did Christ not want everyone to come to Him as they are, whether that be a thief on a cross, a prostitute or someone who extorted extra money whilst collecting the taxes? It is not wise to misrepresent love. Don't you know that God is love.

@a.evelyn5498

Жыл бұрын

@Fay Turner What a tone deaf comment. I don’t even understand the point. God is love so girls / women who are raped or assaulted should know they’re loved nevertheless? Do you realize how sick that sounds? That’s incredibly painful. It induces great grieving for childhood / virginity when occurring young, & the shame is made terribly worse when the victims have only heard the degrading messages about sexuality from the church. I just don’t understand how your comment helps at all. Also most of the world isn’t even Christian. You are not the majority.

@a.evelyn5498

Жыл бұрын

@Faye Turner She wasn’t implying anything about god. She was talking about REALITY. Not myth.

@Kira-Lynn

Жыл бұрын

@@fayturner6877 Maybe you're talked to about real Christ-like actions: loving, not judging, helping those in trouble? But abstinence-only sex ed is all about telling girls in America that if they are already penetrated before marriage they are like a used kleenex, or chewed gum, or a piece of tape covered in hair and dirt: garbage. These "education" programs say that what matters isn't how much God loves you or Christ loves you, but what matters to your inner worth is what a man did to you and your hymen.

She's such a kind, level headed young woman

Wow. 20 years. Elizabeth continues to be an amazingly gracious and stellar woman. God bless her and her beautiful family.

Parents need to teach their kids that it's okay to scream, fight back, to cause a scene. So often we teach them not do these things, but they need to know that there are situations where fighting back can save their life.

@asanta2023

Жыл бұрын

💯🙌🏽👍🏽

@carollewis3912

Жыл бұрын

He had a knife and told her not to scream. He threatened her family.

@lolah42

Жыл бұрын

@@carollewis3912 I’m not referencing Elizabeth’s situation. Just reiterating what Elizabeth stated, about telling her kids, it’s okay to scream in certain situations.

@carollewis3912

Жыл бұрын

@@lolah42 It would have been good that night if the alarm system had been on.

@mrsTraveller64

Жыл бұрын

@@carollewis3912 I believe you should tell your child to scream anyway, if he is gonna kill you he will do it anyway, ifhe is not going to kill you he won't do it, he will run when you scream. I have heard so many times "don't get into a car by someone telling you they will kill you if you son't get in, scream as loud as you can and you might survive, he probably drives off because he does NOT want to be caught, but if you get into that car you will never be seen again".

She’s amazing! I remember this story. Even being so young at the time. Also, did anyone notice they said “March 2023”, instead of 2003?

i got to meet her last year september and my goodness what a woman! so encouraging and down to earth, you would've never known she went through what she did, may God bless her and her family!

@paulsmith9192

11 ай бұрын

@Goodness Ifebigh does she have social media?

I was a young mom when this happened and I remember it so well. First we were all hoping she was ok, then time kept passing by and we all thought that she was dead. The joy and excitement of finding her alive was soon overshadowed by the understanding that she probably went through hell and what would be left of her now that she has been gone so long was horrifying. I’m so glad she’s safe and she is a proponent of bringing other missing children’s stories to the forefront.

This may be irrelevant but her hair transformation is on point! Her and Auburn agree beautifully😍

You are remembered Elizabeth. Wishing you and your entire family continued health and contentment.

Every missing child deserves to be found.

She is an amazing example of a person overcoming extreme destruction in her life....

A truly exceptionally dignified lady! I do hope life will continue to be kind to her! God bless her and her family!

Elizabeth is a voice of hope for every girl or woman that is sexually molested! She did not allow those monsters to define the rest of her life ❤❤

@bobo-kj6od

Жыл бұрын

It depends on what the girl looks like, which always affects how they're treated by everyone throughout their lives.

@VintageRose75

Жыл бұрын

@@bobo-kj6od What are you referring to?

What an important interview. So good to see what a great survivor and role model Elizabeth has become. Very best wishes to her and her lovely family.

I was sat watching thinking, the attention this one child got due to background and colour, would not have been so willingly given in any other circumstance, so to hear her echo my thoughts herself a survivor, I commend her even more. A deeply thoughtful, caring example to us all.

@WTFBUTWHY

Жыл бұрын

Do you really not understand why a suburban girl from an area with like 0 crime, getting kidnapped and missing for months WOULDN'T be a big story? It's the same reason someone who makes it big from poor areas gets more attention than some wealthy trust fund baby.

@thomashavard-morgan8181

Жыл бұрын

@@WTFBUTWHY I completely understand it, but still doesn't negate my point. You can look at two similar cases in the UK Ben Needham and Madeline McCann. Both went missing whilst abroad and in similar-ish circumstances. Madeline from a middle class background, with wealthy parents has received much more funding from the police and press attention, than the boy from a poorer background, who's mother had to fight to continue any sort of investigation and funding from the police. So yes whilst a girl being kidnapped from her room helped fuel the story, her affluence, colour and gender would've meant she was ''worthy' of the coverage as happens so often, name me any other child that went missing the week she did?

What a strong and courageous woman!

Bless Elizabeth. I have not endured a situation like this, but she is a frickin' hero and strong as nails. Still, the empathy and kindness in her endures. Folks, that is incredible strength.

Been following Elizabeth for years, it’s amazing the work she’s done and her resilience and motivation is evident within that work.

Big admirer of this little girl, she really came through that horrible time, healed and spends a lot of her time when she isn't wrangling her own kids helping others.

What a strong , beautiful woman. I can not imagine what she went thru and look how she over came. I am so amazed and thrilled for her.

Thank you Elizabeth for continuing to tell your story. I am SO happy you are here❤

Amazing Elizabeth Smart. I followed your story from day one. So very happy you are safe and settled with your own family now. Love from South Africa.

Such an amazing person you are, Elizabeth. To be able to move from all that abuse and create a normal and happy life is quite incredible! God bless you!

Shes lucky to have a loving supportive family. I imagine that has made all the difference. Sooo glad she was found. I cant believe its been 20 years I recall my heart being with her. Bless her and all who need that care. May they find it also❤

Such a composed, beautiful person.

My heart breaks for all this wonderful young woman had to go through. Very best wishes Elizabeth

I will never understand how a human being can do this to another human being, especially a vulnerable teenage girl. Just disgusting. Elizabeth is a very strong woman, and I hope she continues to heal from her trauma. But those 9 months will never be corrected, never be erased. Its so dreadful.

I still have goosebumps everytime I heard this sad story ..

Elizabeth Smart is a miracle. Her parents were amazing too.! For her to go through what she did, survive, and then devote her life to helping other victims/survivors is truely an astonishing act of love on her part. I bow to her strength, insight, courage, love, thoughtfulness and dedication. A true heroe.

great interview. Elizabeth Smart is an amazing soul.

I am always in awe of Elizabeth; she's the walking definition of a strong, courageous, poised woman.

Bless her ❤ glad she found a physical outlet and has moved forward with her life.

She said he was spotted in "March 2023"....come on ABC do better

@eclaufs7385

Жыл бұрын

Right. I had to rewatch just to confirm.

@jennydspamperedchefkitchen8256

Жыл бұрын

I picked up on that right away!! Like they couldn't have gone back and edited that??

@dharmawannab

Жыл бұрын

It's not even March 2023 yet(as of the day of this post)

@androidgames1927

Жыл бұрын

@@dharmawannab 🤭

@JV-NY987

Жыл бұрын

@@dharmawannab thanks I hadn't noticed

Did anyone catch that she said that after the America's Most Wanted aired, they found him walking down the street in 2023 not 2003? I'm shocked that wasn't caught in editing.

@rinnifinley2865

Жыл бұрын

Came to look for this comment !!

@jeunyj3703

Жыл бұрын

Right! I had to go back to see if I heard that correctly lol

@melvaz1941

Жыл бұрын

I came lookin for this comment! Lol

Brilliant interview. Ty Elizabeth 😊

I am so very thankful for answered prayers!!!! Wishing her & her family every blessing life can hold!!❤🙏❤🙏

I'm thankful for her honesty in sharing her experience. She nailed it on the head for survivors. There is a difference between something stolen from you, and consensual heart filled intimacy.

A beautiful and sweet young woman. Proud of her, strong woman.🇨🇦🇨🇦❤️❤️

She has risen above her awful experience and has given back with magnificent increases. Kudos to Elizabeth, for lack of a more expressive word. Blessed Be, Elizabeth. 💝✨🌍✨💝You’re making a profound impact on a lot of women.

Strong and brave woman. I wish nothing but the best for her.

Such an extraordinary woman. Her strength is admirable. I’m so glad she was able to put the pieces of her life back together and go on to have her own family and advocate for other victims.

She is an amazing human being.G.D Bless her.

Her story to this day is incredible. She is a survivor and has come out the other side with such a strong sense of self.Blessings to her .

Elizabeth Smart, I have always admired your strength and your life. You are helping so many women. We look to you for being such a beautiful source in this world. God bless you.

Elizabeth Smart sinônimo de resiliência!! Saudações do Brasil🇧🇷🙏❤️

Wow she looks so different from the time she was found amazing good lock god bless her an family

She's one of the strongest human beings of all-time. No exaggeration.

@peachleroots3608

Жыл бұрын

Elizabeth Smart and Alison Botha (from SA). Don't know how these women managed to turn their horrific experiences into something positive!

@susanareagan4079

Жыл бұрын

She was lucky she wasn't killed after being ra**d most won't make it alive😑

What a strong and good woman Elizabeth is. God bless her for helping others avoid what happened to her.

I can't even imagine. I've watched a lot of her interviews and she said in one of them or maybe in a couple of them that she was raped every day for 9 months and she was just a young girl and I can't even imagine everything that her poor little body went through. And the fact that she was feeling shameful for being "ruined" because of that when it was no fault of her own is just heartbreaking absolutely heartbreaking.

She’s so strong !

Smh I have so very much respect for her and her family 💕💕

I remember I was at work (in Canada) the moment the news hit she was found and alive, and I held back tears of joy! I forwarded the news to a friend who messaged back a similar sentiment!

I remember where I was when I heard they got her. I was 16 listening to the radio and they said they got her, I always felt she was alive

WOW!I remember this story so clear, the Lori Poland story, my gosh! Brave and smart little girls - awesome young women. You have both done awesome things to turn this around and help others become survivors!

What an incredible woman Elizabeth is! God bless.

I was her age. I saw the pictures asking for information. It was so scary. Feeling like you were safe in your home is awful She is so strong. Elizabeth Smart is a hero. I hope she lives a healthy and full life. Her kids have a fierce mother. Elizabeth is a warrior.

She is one lady that I have followed and truly respected her

Remarkable. Bravo Elizabeth.

What a horrific experience! This woman is truly a survivor! Her spirit and splendor for life is astounding! Thank God for you!

Love this amazing woman 💪🙌💖 wishing so much happiness to her and her family.

I remember this terrible time quite vividly. I’m just a year younger than her, and I remember feeling scared that something like that could happen to me or one of my friends. Ms. Smart has been through hell and she chose to draw on her awful experience to save others and that is absolutely remarkable. I wish her and her beautiful family peace and happiness. 💗

Bless Elizabeth Smart..

What an amazing, resilient, kind, just deep down good woman she is.

This is one strong woman. God Bless her and and her family

Just because somebody doesn't come out of trauma looking picture perfect like this lady doesn't mean they aren't just as strong.

She looks amazing her family is beautiful 👏🏾

The fact that the woman has been released is insane to me

@Charlotte-fn6xv

Жыл бұрын

I agree. She absolutely needs a life sentence too.

@anitamiller5913

Жыл бұрын

She should have been sentenced to life in prison too. IMO

Thank you for the example you are sharing, that trauma can be overcome, it is possible to not remain a victim for the rest of your life. A video of your wedding stays with me. It showed your father beaming at you and his gaze was filled with such intense love and joy that it took my breath away. It was beautiful. You are beautiful. Much love.❤

One Powerfully Inspirational "Smart" Lady.

Amazing woman, admiration for her bravery and her resilience.

Remarkable woman, so happy for your happiness and security now💕

What a fantastic woman. So glad she survived.

She is just so lovely, i have so much respect for her.

I am so glad that you are such a strong woman.

If it is meaningful to say that you love someone you've never met, then I love her. A true hero.

Truly, a remarkable woman.

What a remarkable woman.

To continue to share this to help others...true giving soul. All my respect, Elizabeth.

God bless you, Elizabeth. ❤

Her sisters description of the perp. Just wow kids are incredible 💫

She is so so beautiful I remember when she was kidnapped. I was raising my kids, youngest is now 19 I'm so proud of Elizabeth I prayed for her

Her book is so good! She went through so much.

Such a wonderful story of hope for what happened to her. She is so strong and had helped so many young girls ❤

Such an Amazing Woman, so glad your doing well ❤❤❤

You are so beautiful Elizabeth! Inside and out! I was praying for you.

Did I hear her right? Did she say the sketch was released in March of 2023? I'm just wondering if it was a mistake or I heard it wrong. I remember 20 years ago when this story unfolded and it was heartbreaking and I remember the day they announced she was found. It could have differently. Elizabeth you are a strong soul!!!!

@DarlaAnne

Жыл бұрын

No, you heard it right. I came looking for this comment. It's the 20 year anniversary coming up so I'm sure she meant 2003 but hard to believe nobody caught that in editing. And indeed Elizabeth is SO strong and inspiring.

@aznmochibunny

Жыл бұрын

Yeah. I also heard 2023. It just must have been a slip up that wasn't caught.

@Penguinchubb0

Жыл бұрын

I heard it too and was so confused that I listened several more times. Just a human mistake.

@GreenCatEye78

Жыл бұрын

I heard that too!

What a blessing❤🙏❤

She didn't let tragedy ruin her life, such a strong woman!

Americas most wanted really needs to come back. It helped SO many people.

This woman is stronger than most of us could ever imagine