Smarts distance themselves from book

A new book about Elizabeth Smart's abduction, written by one of her uncles, isn't being well-received by Elizabeth or her parents.

"In Plain Sight: The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation" was released Monday. The book, written by Deseret Morning News photographer Tom Smart and columnist Lee Benson, chronicles some of the alleged, previously unknown, behind-the-scenes details of Elizabeth's kidnapping, the search for her and the police investigation.

But Ed Smart, Elizabeth's father, said Monday he wants to make it clear Elizabeth didn't supply any details for the book.

"We haven't endorsed Tom's book because she hasn't shared her story with anyone. Not her cousins or anyone. In fact, she may never do that," he said.

Ed Smart said Elizabeth was "disheartened" by Tom's book. He said there's no way anyone could see Elizabeth's ordeal in the same light as she did.

Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City bedroom in June 2002. Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee were later arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping and other charges. Neither has come to trial yet.

The Deseret Morning News began Monday a four-part series of excerpts from the book. Today's selection is called "A mother's awful grief."

Elizabeth's mother, Lois Smart, said Monday she was a grieving mother when her daughter was missing, and now she grieves again because of the book, Elizabeth's reaction to it and the renewed media attention created by the book.

Lois Smart said Elizabeth was in tears when she saw the book's cover. The cover shows a picture of Elizabeth's face covered by a veil that her alleged abductor forced her to wear.

"I am again a grieving mother. I see the effect (the book) has on Elizabeth," Lois Smart said. "I look at it from a mother's point of view of my daughter only being 17. Who wants to keep reliving some terrible thing that happened to you? I grieve for my daughter when I see her see the picture (on the cover)."

Lois Smart said she wishes the ordeal could finally be put behind them and Elizabeth could move on with her life and not be known simply as the girl who was kidnapped.