(NewsNation) — Elizabeth Smart was 14 years old when she was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City bedroom in 2002. She was found nine months after her abduction.
Over two decades later, Smart is married and a mother of three. She has found peace and purpose in helping others as an advocate for victims. Smart hosted an exclusive hour of NewsNation’s “Banfield” on Monday, revealing intimate details about her kidnapping story as well as connecting with other survivors.
Smart and her father, Ed, discussed his initial reaction to her disappearance.
“I don’t think that most people feel that there is the possibility that that’s ever going to happen to them,” Ed Smart said on his daughter’s special report on “Banfield.” “For any parent who thinks it can never happen to me, that’s how we felt.”
Tanya Kach and Elizabeth Smart discuss how to survive decadelong kidnapping
Tanya Kach opened up to Smart about the “grooming” and decadelong kidnapping she survived at the age of 14. Kach vanished in February 1996.
Her middle school security guard Thomas Hose held her captive, locking her inside a bedroom and sexually abusing her daily.
According to Kach, Hose showered her with flowers, money and gifts. At the time, she started to believe she was in love with him.
“I wonder how I survived it,” Kach told Smart. “By the grace of God, I got through it.” Kach hopes her story will inspire anyone enduring an abusive relationship to “break free and get out.”
She also encourages parents to “watch for signs” of isolation and adults interacting with their children.
“My strength comes from my husband who is my rock now,” Kach told Smart. “I found true love and what love is. He’s always encouraging me and giving me support. It’s so wonderful. Life now is great. I have stepchildren of his and then I have grandchildren. I have a busy life of being a grandmother.”
9-year-old kidnapping survivor decided ‘this is not gonna ruin my life’
Charlotte, whose identity is protected because of her age, was 9 years old when she disappeared after going on a bike ride in upstate New York.
She was found 48 hours later hidden in a campervan, and a 47-year-old suspect was charged with first-degree kidnapping.
Trisha Sena, Charlotte’s mother, and Jené Luciani Sena, Charlotte’s aunt, joined Smart to discuss how Charlotte has been doing. Trisha Sena said Charlotte decided her kidnapping “is not gonna ruin” her life.
How Elizabeth Smart keeps her kids safe
Smart closed her special report by sharing the three things she does to protect her children. Staying calm and loving unconditionally are vital components to her relationship with her children and family.