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Reaction to News that Elizabeth Smart was Found Alive

Reaction to News that Elizabeth Smart was Found Alive


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A sampling of reaction Wednesday to news that Elizabeth Smart was found alive:


"She seemed to be very sharp, very articulate, was very, very happy to be reunited with her family. The fact that (her younger brother) Andrew got straight As surprised her. "Law enforcement has told them that they believe that Elizabeth has done very well, considering what she's been through." "She said there was no way, she had two people with her at all times," he said about her chances of escaping.
--Chris Thomas, Smart family spokesman.

"All the children out there deserve to come home to their parents the way that Elizabeth has come back to us. I just hope and pray that Congress will quickly pass the Amber Alert so those children will have a better chance. It was nothing but a miracle."
--Ed Smart, Elizabeth's father.

"Thank the Lord God almighty, I thank you for your prayers."
--Cynthia Smart Owens, Elizabeth's aunt.

"Do miracles still exist? The answer is yes. Words cannot express how grateful we are for the prayers around the world. We have Elizabeth back."

"If you want to talk about heroes in this story, Mary Katherine is our hero. Mary Katherine has (held) steadfast in what she knew, and what she didn't know and when she did remember she came forward with the courage to tell her parents that it might be Emmanuel. For a 9-year-old girl to go through the trauma that she has gone through and has held fast to that ... it's extraordinary."
--Dave Smart, Elizabeth's uncle.

"As William and she saw each other, they just hugged. He would hug her and look at her, and hug her and look at her. He couldn't believe as a 4-year-old now that he sister was home."
--Missy Larson, family friend who witnessed the reunion between 4-year-old brother William and Elizabeth.

"I think you can imagine what the reunion was like. It was emotional, it was exciting, it was a thrill for everybody, her parents were in tears. It was the kind of reunion that you would expect.She will be with her family tonight. You can imagine that she was very excited, that's all I'll say."
--Salt Lake City Police Chief Rick Dinse.

"This much I can assure you: that those responsible for these acts against Elizabeth will be vigorously prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
--U.S. Attorney Paul Warner.

"What a great day for the state of Utah, right? Darn right!" "You have a whole interview room of officers up there you can't wipe the smiles off of their faces."
--Chip Burrus, FBI special agent.

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