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Elizabeth Smart | Taken From Her Bed (Part 1)

Crime Weekly

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In June of 2002, a 14-year-old girl was taken from her bedroom in the middle of the night, from a quiet home in one of the safest neighborhoods in one of the safest cities in America. Her name was Elizabeth Smart. This case has endured for more than two decades, not only because of what happened to Elizabeth, but because of how it happened. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about trust, faith, and what happens when deeply held beliefs collide with someone willing to exploit them.

Elizabeth wasn't held for hours or days. She was a prisoner for nine months, subjected to repeated trauma and torture that would have broken most adults. But Elizabeth's story is not just about what happened to her. It's also about survival and strength. It's about a young girl who would later turn the unimaginable into advocacy and support for victims of kidnapping and sexual violence.

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20 Comments

@GenXfrom75 7 months ago (edited)

I’m deeply invested in this case. I was groomed at 14 and coerced to run away with a 26 year old man. For 6 weeks of hell on the streets of Hollywood, California. Knowing what Elizabeth survived has given me courage to face my own memories and work through them, using this opportunity to help others. I’ve decided it will be the direction in which I’ll be taking my own channel. She’s so brave and such a wonderful role model for survivors, and everyone else in general. ❤

@AudreyMichele 7 months ago

I live in Utah and was raised LDS. When I got to high school at 15 it felt like I was being thrown to the wolves. I wasn’t taught about ANYTHING and it led to me getting in many bad situations that I didn’t understand at the time. It made me feel like I couldn’t trust myself and my own judgement because I was so ‘sheltered’ from the real world. If that’s how I felt experiencing something as normal as high school I couldn’t imagine how Elizabeth felt going though what she did. There’s a fine line between protecting your children while keeping them informed and completely hiding them away from the world. A lot of the teachings in the LDS faith lead to crippling self guilt as well. Feeling like other people’s wrong doings were somehow your fault because you weren’t devout enough. It’s truly something that is impossible to understand if you haven’t lived it. I’m so glad she made it out and has a beautiful life now!

@anneberoni 7 months ago

Derrick and his drone.. literally a helicopter parent😂

@samarajenkins4431 7 months ago

Good morning everyone! Remember to turn off the news, touch grass and care for you today..someone out HERE is glad you're out THERE.. you matter! ❤

@TinaWilliamsArt 7 months ago

Crime Weekly is the only podcast that I never tire of. You guys really remain unbiased and challenge each other when one starts to show bias. Between Derrick's unique perspective and Stephanie's research there's no one that comes close, bar none.

@CareyBear79 7 months ago

It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that Utah has some of the highest numbers in affinity fraud cases. Also, the LDS church isn’t quite as charitable as their charity work would suggest. They’re a 250 billion dollar church that has historically donated less than 1% of the compulsory tithes it receives to charity.. and has been in legal trouble for having shell companies and hiding money from the SCC.. it’s all relative I suppose, but in my opinion the one good thing about this particular high demand religion is that the members take care of each other, mostly.

@mariannaplusthree 7 months ago (edited)

I think the difference in the way Derrick is vs being sheltered is that Derrick is pretty straightforward with his kids about the dangers that are very real, where as a sheltered kid would have all that control in place by their parents, but they wouldn’t have been taught about predators. They would have a very innocent outlook and therefore be easier to take advantage of because they wouldn’t know that there are people who do want to cause them harm.
And I said it on Derrick’s channel but I am honest and straight forward with my kids about the dangers that exist. I don’t want them to be scared all the time, but I think it is important for them to know what the reality of the world we live in is.

@mservano 7 months ago (edited)

I’m from Utah. Mormons are kind and charitable. But, if you’re not Mormon and don’t accept their beliefs, they’ll cut you off and “judge you”
I’ve lived here my whole life, my family for generations. My family is LDS. But we’re the black sheep. Our neighbors won’t let their kids play with ours because we’re not “active”.
It’s very two sided and now thinking about it, complicated. Because they keep our state safe (ish) but also make living here hard.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some awesome Mormons but as a rule, they think we’re all crazy for not believing in Joseph Smith.
Side note, I’m a nondenominational Christian married to a Catholic. And we have very different beliefs from the Mormons.

@Ashleyberg-v6j 7 months ago (edited)

It’s not from the bottom of their heart they’re hoping to convert you. On the surface, most Mormons are extremely kind hearted and generous. They don’t even realize that the only reason why they’re being kind is in hopes that you will find the “ true religion”. The moment that they realize they can’t convert you, they stop helping you. I’ve lived in Utah the majority of my life. I have so many kind amazing LDS members in my life, but the majority stay away from me because I’m not LDS won’t let my children be friends with their children. it’s all because I have not converted to their religion. They don’t want me and my children to influence their children. Granted I won’t let my kids hang out with certain children because I don’t want their families to influence my children. Utah is the kindest place to live in until you live here. Northern and southern are different mentalities also.

@Ilibillyy 7 months ago

To hear Elizabeth’s perspective and retelling of how he took her was terrifying. I don’t have words. So many children never live to tell us what happened. This is such an important case. Thank you guys.

@lisacrisp3343 7 months ago

Stephanie I've said this before but you are one of the best researchers and writers at this time. Keep doing these deep dives. You were definitely cut out for this. Thank you ❤💜

@poltergeistghost 7 months ago

The church tells its people to give, especially to the church, but the church itself is one of the most money grubbing organizations on the planet. It’s no charity

@kristenlegore9436 7 months ago

You can be charitable and give back to your community without opening your home where your young children live. As a mother, I have such a hard time understanding how you could possibly pass out your home address to strangers. This whole case is heartbreaking and I’m in awe of Elizabeth’s strength and resilience.

@KayaGirl 7 months ago

I watched my sister‘s children when I was a teenager because she worked the night shift and then I would have to walk home at 5 o’clock in the morning. My stepfather was friends with the entire police department in our town so I always had a police officer driving behind me because I was stubborn and wouldn’t accept a ride. As a teenager I was pissed but after seeing everything that could happen, I am extremely grateful.

@daylewoolf8734 7 months ago

Can you please cover the Jaycee Dugard case? I would love to hear your take on it. There were so many missed opportunities to save her and her girls before they were finally rescued.

@Justablonde 7 months ago

Stopping by to remind everyone watching that, if this story - like it has done to me - leaves you moodier, more anxious/sad/nervous than normal or expected, know that it’s perfectly normal and remember to take care of yourself after you hear this story. It’s not easy and it’s not meant to be, we are all humans, we all can relate to the fear and angst of hearing the words and experiences of a child who should’ve never even thought of this nightmare… especially those out there who have kids, siblings, young family members, etc… please take care ❤

@DawnieGolden 7 months ago

The LDS church is not very charitable unless you yourself are a member or if they’re trying to convert you. It’s not just out the kindness of their own heart. It’s to get something in return. I really hope y’all respond to some of the criticisms of the Mormon church in the next part.

@jessicasayler1248 7 months ago

I grew up in SLC, I worked downtown when this happened, I saw Brian David Mitchell and have spoke with him as well actually as he used to stand outside the mall and ask for money. This case is long over due for a Crime Weekly deep dive... I remember the exact moment and where I was the I found out they found her. Living in SLC during this case was actually insane. Thank u for covering this guys!!

@audreyb1935 7 months ago (edited)

Ah her poor lil sister 😢 she must have been terrified to move . She's only a baby. Her and Elizabeth are amazing. So glad she survived

@trisha4797 7 months ago

The Mormon Church is a high control religion. Elizabeth’s Father has left the church. And, Elizabeth has said a few things that allude to her possibly no longer active. One of the issues in this case, is the church declares sex before marriage as a sin next to murder. And, it doesn’t distinguish if it’s voluntary or not. They also blame woman for men’s sexual attention.