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SANDY — The end of Elizabeth Smart's journey with her kidnappers a decade ago was sudden and unexpected: Hidden in plain site for nine months, she was found about 20 miles south of her Salt Lake City home.
Tuesday marked the 10th anniversary of the day Smart, then 15, was discovered while walking down State Street in Sandy with her kidnappers, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.
She had been kidnapped June 5, 2002, from her home in Federal Heights. She was held captive for nearly a year before the Sandy Police Department started receiving calls about a suspicious-looking trio carrying bedrolls and walking down State Street.
Two of the officers who responded to the calls that day, Lt. Victor Quezada and Capt. Bill O'Neill, told KSL on Tuesday that the significance of the spot crosses their minds every time they drive past it.
"It was an ordinary call, but the people we were dealing with weren't ordinary," O'Neil said.
Calls of Elizabeth Smart sightings were common, and none of the four responding officers expected much when they arrived. But after a few minutes of questioning the strange man and his two female companions, they realized who they were dealing with: Brian David Mitchell, Wanda Barzee and Elizabeth Smart.
"When she was talking, I could see her teeth, and from the fliers and the smile, I recognized her teeth — I know that sounds strange," O'Neil said. "And that's when it hit me, ‘Wow, this is Elizabeth Smart.' "
March 12, 2003 - Elizabeth Smart found alive
July 26, 2005 - Brian David Mitchell found incompetent to stand trial
Feb. 12, 2008 - Judge orders Smart suspect, Wanda Barzee, to be medicated
March 5, 2008 - Accused Elizabeth Smart kidnappers indicted
March 11, 2008 - Utah Supreme Court stops Barzee's forced medication
Oct. 9, 2008 - Judge denies forced medication request for Mitchell
Oct. 17, 2008 - Mitchell's case moves to federal court
May 1, 2009 - Elizabeth Smart talks about months in captivity
Oct. 1, 2009- Elizabeth Smart relives kidnapping ordeal at Mitchell hearing
Nov. 17, 2009 - Barzee pleads guilty to federal charges in Smart kidnapping
Nov. 29, 2009 - Competency hearing set in Smart abduction case
Nov. 30, 2009 - Testimony begins in Mitchell's 10-day competency hearing
March 1, 2010 - Mitchell found competent for trial
March 12, 2010 - Federal judge sets Smart kidnapping trial date
Aug. 16, 2010 - Judge denies motion to move Mitchell trial out of state
Sept. 9, 2010 - Rules proposed for jury selection in Mitchell's upcoming trial
Oct. 24, 2010 - Judge: Mitchell trial to stay in Utah
Oct. 25, 2010 - Elizabeth Smart returning home to testify in Mitchell trial
Oct. 26, 2010 - Judge denies motion to delay Mitchell trial
Oct. 28, 2010 - Appeals court denies venue change in Mitchell trial
Nov. 1, 2010 - 9 possible jurors retained in Mitchell trial
Nov. 3, 2010 - Defense seeks delay of Smart kidnapping trial
Nov. 4, 2010 - Appeals court stays Mitchell trial
Dec. 10, 2010 - Mitchell convicted of kidnapping Smart
May 25, 2011 - Mitchell receives life sentence
They tried to reassure her that the ordeal was over — that she would finally be able to go home. Seeing the Smarts reunite was all the reward they needed.
"That we could actually play a part in bringing her home to her family — very emotional," O'Neil said.
Ten years later, that spot on the side of the road is a reminder that sometimes, there are happy endings.
Elizabeth's father, Ed Smart, said Tuesday he was grateful to Quezada, O'Neil and everyone else instrumental in bringing his daughter home.
Of all the anniversaries involved with his daughter's kidnapping case — her disappearance, Brian David Mitchell's sentencing — this is the one Ed Smart celebrates, albeit quietly, with a prayer of gratitude and an appreciation for normalcy.
"As a family, we certainly feel the need to thank God for all that was done on our behalf and on Elizabeth's behalf," he said.
Ten years ago, the Smarts were grasping to hope, clinging to the feeling that their little girl was still alive.
They hired a sketch artist to release an image to the public — the face of a man Elizabeth's sister, Mary Katherine, had remembered. And two very aware citizens in Sandy called Sandy police with a tip.
For all of the searches, for all of the prayers, the Smarts are forever grateful.
"They called and they made all the difference. We're here and happy today because of that," Smart said. "Thank you for your kindness and your effort and really helping Elizabeth be where she is today."
Ten years later, much has changed. Ed Smart said police agencies now work together on cases better than ever before. The man who kidnapped Elizabeth is serving his sentence. Elizabeth is a returned missionary, and now a married woman.
"To see her having a full life, and we want to see that for everyone," Smart said.
But there are many families who have not had the same happy ending the Smarts have. And Ed hopes their story brings them hope. "Miracles do happen," he said.
Contributing: Stephanie Grimes
