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ABC News taps Elizabeth Smart as ‘missing person’ contributor

By Joe Pompeo | The Cutline – Thu, Jul 7, 2011

(Photo of Smart and her father: AP/Jim Urquhart)With Casey Anthony's surprising acquittal on murder charges in the case of her 2-year-old daughter's disappearance in 2008 dominating the headlines, it seems fitting that ABC News has tapped a missing persons "expert" as its newest paid contributor.

The network's new specialist on the issue certainly has a unique background: She is Elizabeth Smart, who in 2002 and 2003 endured nine months of captivity and sexual abuse after she had been kidnapped at age 14 from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the conclusion of a survival story that was as miraculous as it was sickening, her primary abductor, Brian David Mitchell, was sentenced to life in prison on May 25.

Now Smart is set to embark on the next chapter of her life.

"I can confirm that Elizabeth Smart will be an ABC News contributor available to all ABC News programs and platforms," ABC News spokeswoman Julie Townsend told The Cutline. The news was first reported Wednesday night by the Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz, who was reasonably skeptical about Smart's addition to the ABC contributor roster.

"Other than fame—as the victim of a horrifying crime—what exactly are her qualifications?" he wrote. "Was this a way for ABC to land exclusive interviews by putting her on the payroll?"

Townsend suggested otherwise.

"Her contributions will be focused on looking ahead, not looking back at her own story," she said. "She'll help our viewers better understand missing person stories from someone with the perspective to know what a family experiences when a loved one goes missing." Townsend also said the network has "been talking to Elizabeth for quite some time."

But apart from the Anthony trial, the timing also seems apt in light of ABC's upcoming exclusive interview with onetime missing person Jaycee Dugard. Dugard had been kidnapped at age 11 and held for 18 years; during her captivity, she gave birth to two children fathered by her abductor. That interview, which was conducted by Diane Sawyer, is scheduled to air Sunday at 9 p.m.

Townsend wouldn't confirm whether Smart's ABC debut would be tied to the network's Dugard coverage, but said, "She could be on the air within the next few weeks."

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1,326 comments

me • 10 mths ago
As a rape victim myself when I was 18, I find some of the comments on here appalling. And to the people to doubt her ability and qualifications, who is better to speak for victims of such a horrifying crime than someone who has been through it herself. People who have never been through it cannot understand the emotions and psychological damage it causes. I could not tell anyone what had happened for 3 years. It was only by the grace of God and the love of my family that I could eventually open up and begin to live again.
- Beachcomber 10 mths ago
  Yes she can speak about being a victim. But she has zero experience on TV and is just handed this job. No one is slamming her for what she went through but this nonsense of anyone can be on TV has got to stop.
- CharlesG 10 mths ago
  just curious, what should the qualifications for getting on to TV be? She knows how to speak, she keeps a good appearance, what other qualifiactions should there be?
- Angry_Wiseman 10 mths ago
  Smart? Truly a misnomer...at age 14 she couldn't walk away from a situation that had zero physical restrictions, IN PUBLIC, for nine months. Three letters: R,U,N; could have saved her, but she couldn't figure it out. She is truly a one-off. I know of nobody who could make sense of much less relate to someone that clueless, and now she's going to be offering advice and inside information to victims? How about finding that 9 year old girl from the east coast that chewed through phone cords, called 911 on her abductors, and was on the evening news that night at the same time that Smart was being "held"; a story that got no notice because America was fixated on the blonde ding-dong. That girl is somebody who has something to offer vicitms and their families. ABC is just plumbing the depths of tabloid journalism
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Anonymous • 10 mths ago
What are her qualifications?
Qualifications aren't always learned in formal education with books, but acquired more through life experiences.
Lalo757 • 10 mths ago
Like SteveO says: John Walsh wasn't very qualified to be hosting America's Most Wanted. But like Elizabeth Smart, he sadly knew a lot about the subject (having tragically lost his son). She'll do fine. She's a classy, young lady unlike a lot of the douche-jerks on Network News now.
Junior • 10 mths ago
I say give her a chance. She's a remarkable young Lady under the circumstances. Bravo !!!
Donnie • 10 mths ago
She'll do fine.
Nikki R • 10 mths ago
So many people seem to think that the only way to gain knowledge is through school. Elizabeth and others like her have received knowledge that neither book nor professor can teach, She is qualified and so are the others that have lived through that type of nightmare. Just maybe she will help us to understand that we need to protect our children better and search more for them when they disappear. There should not be any Jaycee Dugards held captive just feet away from law inforcement that are to preoccupied to check out the dirty sheds. You go girl and I for one will be praying for great success just as I prayed for your safe return.
cralyn • 10 mths ago
Best wishes to Elizabeth Smart!
HesterA • 10 mths ago
I'm "reasonably skeptical" and I wonder what Howard Kurtz's qualifications are to comment and question hers. Just what exact qualification was she supposed to have?
D • 10 mths ago
Her qualifications are that we should be kissing her butt for all she's endured...Let her have her day in the sun for God sake...she deserves some good treatment for her life of hell thus far.
d • 10 mths ago
How qualified can someone who personally overcame a nightmarish news story, was in the public eyes for years and gained her fame by being raped and held captive by a sociopath, and lived to form something positive out of the experience possibly be? Much more than anyone else I know on the news.
C • 10 mths ago
Good luck Elizabeth. You are an inspiration!
A Yahoo! User • 10 mths ago
That Mitchell fella is as sickening as anyone has ever seen. And Miss Smart's comeback was as miraculous as anyone has ever seen. I think she can help all of us to better understand the hows, whys, and wherefores concerning these kind of stories that seem to be increasing in number at a tragic pace. Good Luck, Elizabeth..........And God Bless.
FrankA • 10 mths ago
Well as I recalled, Ms. Smart didn't want to re-live those horrific moments (when interviewed by Nancy Grace), but now when a big-money contract was offered, she didn't turn it down. She will now be telling the world her story every chance she gets and re-living those same moments she wanted to avoid re-living. Don't get me wrong, I can't imagine the horror that she experienced, but was it the contract that lured her or does she truly want to seek justice for the abducted?
Ken • 10 mths ago
Hiring Elizabeth Smart is the first bright idea the left-wing press has had in a long time. Let's hope they don't poison her brain like they've done to the idiots who watch mainstream news every day. Even a kidnapping doesn't mess you up in the head as bad as constant exposure to left-wing lies and propaganda.
- Mello Fello 10 mths ago
  She is very impressionable. Some tycoon is lovin it
mucho g • 10 mths ago
call me when her sex tape comes out!
Yazdgerd IV • 10 mths ago
Hi Im Elizabeth Smart, I got slam raped by an old man, so I should be here
w • 10 mths ago
I'm very surprised the Mormon Church okayed this - women are not to be this type of profession
- sealily 10 mths ago
  Please don't speak about things you obviously know nothing about.
- tammyb 10 mths ago
  I agree with Sealily, shut up
Gigadee • 10 mths ago
Her father allowed the abduction to happen by letting unqualified and unlicensed contractors (bums) do renovations on their home, just to save a buck.
- dinda 10 mths ago
  There are many good workers who want to be self-employed. But there are many not-so-good people too. I t is hard to be always careful.
  x-daddy, u r probably only having sex with urself
Bo • 10 mths ago
needs the bone
m • 6 mths ago
A 6 year old would have better sense than leaving the house with this man. Fourteen and looking for love, this is how the strange looking man got this girl just like most of them. They do not physically force them, but tell them how pretty or how mature they are. Don't buy the media hype that she told them her family would be killed if she did not go. Children need to be educated about these types of monsters, and not just Halloween junk.

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