Elizabeth Smart, left, and her father, Ed Smart, talk to the media after her kidnapper was sentenced to life in prison, May 25, 2011, in front of the Frank E. Moss Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
AP
(CBS/AP) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - ABC has hired former kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart as a commentator focusing on missing persons and child abduction cases.
The Utah woman who was kidnapped at knifepoint, raped and held captive at age 14 by a Salt Lake City street preacher can provide a unique perspective, network Spokesperson Julie Townsend told the Associated Press on Thursday.
"We think she'll help our viewers better understand missing persons stories," Townsend reportedly said. "This is someone with the perspective to know what a family experiences when a loved one goes missing."
According to Townsend, the now 23-year-old could be on air within the next few weeks.
Smart was kidnapped from her family home in the dead of night on June 5, 2002, by Brian David Mitchell, an itinerant street preacher whose writings have revealed he took the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl so he could practice polygamy.
Mitchell, 56, was convicted in December of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines for sex and sentenced to life in federal prison without parole.
After her kidnapper's May sentencing, Smart said at a news conference that she looked forward to working on behalf of missing children.
"I am looking at all the different options and trying to decide where I can make the biggest difference, where I can have the biggest effect for good," Smart said May 25 outside Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court.
The 23-year-old and her father also spoke about the creation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which will focus on protecting children from falling victim to kidnapping and sexual crimes.
Smart's spokesman Chris Thomas said the Brigham Young University music student wants to use the media position to further her goals.
"Elizabeth is committed to giving back and getting involved where she can make the greatest difference through child advocacy work," Thomas wrote. "Partnering with ABC provides a powerful tool to help her accomplish this."
The scope of Smart's assignment has yet to be fully defined, but ABC expects she will contribute across the spectrum of the network's programs and formats, including appearances on Good Morning America, Nightline, ABC News and radio, Townsend said.
Elizabeth Smart to work as ABC commentator for child abduction cases
/ CBS News
(CBS/AP) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - ABC has hired former kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart as a commentator focusing on missing persons and child abduction cases.
The Utah woman who was kidnapped at knifepoint, raped and held captive at age 14 by a Salt Lake City street preacher can provide a unique perspective, network Spokesperson Julie Townsend told the Associated Press on Thursday.
"We think she'll help our viewers better understand missing persons stories," Townsend reportedly said. "This is someone with the perspective to know what a family experiences when a loved one goes missing."
According to Townsend, the now 23-year-old could be on air within the next few weeks.
Smart was kidnapped from her family home in the dead of night on June 5, 2002, by Brian David Mitchell, an itinerant street preacher whose writings have revealed he took the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl so he could practice polygamy.
Mitchell, 56, was convicted in December of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines for sex and sentenced to life in federal prison without parole.
After her kidnapper's May sentencing, Smart said at a news conference that she looked forward to working on behalf of missing children.
"I am looking at all the different options and trying to decide where I can make the biggest difference, where I can have the biggest effect for good," Smart said May 25 outside Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court.
The 23-year-old and her father also spoke about the creation of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which will focus on protecting children from falling victim to kidnapping and sexual crimes.
Smart's spokesman Chris Thomas said the Brigham Young University music student wants to use the media position to further her goals.
"Elizabeth is committed to giving back and getting involved where she can make the greatest difference through child advocacy work," Thomas wrote. "Partnering with ABC provides a powerful tool to help her accomplish this."
The scope of Smart's assignment has yet to be fully defined, but ABC expects she will contribute across the spectrum of the network's programs and formats, including appearances on Good Morning America, Nightline, ABC News and radio, Townsend said.