Elizabeth was abducted at age 14 on June 5, 2002. Her captors controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape. Fortunately, the police safely returned Elizabeth back to her family on March 12, 2003, after being held prisoner for 9 grueling months. 

Through this traumatic experience, Elizabeth has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs and national legislation. Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captors and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which led to conviction. 

The Founder of the "Elizabeth Smart Foundation", Elizabeth has also helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.

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