Wanda Bursey, infamously known for her role in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart over two decades ago, has been arrested again. This time, she’s accused of breaching sex offender restrictions after reportedly visiting two parks in Salt Lake City, Utah. The arrest took place at her home on Thursday.
During the arrest, Bursey mentioned that she felt compelled by “the Lord” to go to Liberty Park, a place where she enjoyed sitting on a bench and, curiously, keeping a duck. It seems she also thought God appreciated her visits to Sugar House Park.
Utah law prohibits sex offenders from entering designated “protected areas,” which include parks. Clearly, this puts Bursey in a complicated position.
Reflecting back, we remember that in June 2002, Bursey and her then-husband, Brian David Mitchell, kidnapped Smart when she was just 14. For nine grueling months, she endured unimaginable horrors, being forced into a “marriage” and subjected to abuse. Smart was eventually rescued when the couple was spotted in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Initially hesitant, she finally revealed her identity to the police, which led to Bursey and Mitchell’s arrest.
After several court hearings, Bursey was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Mitchell received a life sentence for his crimes. In 2018, Bursey was released but had to adhere to five years of federal supervision and was required to register as a sex offender. Contacting Smart’s family was off-limits for her, as mandated by the court.
Elizabeth Smart, now an advocate for children’s safety, once shared a poignant reminder, stating, “Don’t be afraid to practice screaming.” Her father, Ed Smart, commented after Bursey’s recent arrest, indicating he doesn’t perceive her as a threat to his daughter but acknowledged some concern regarding her potentially endangering her own children.
On the legal side, Bursey’s lawyer expressed confidence that Bursey wasn’t aware of violating her conditions, asserting she poses no threat. It’s a bizarre turn of events, to say the least, full of complexities and echoes of a painful past.
