Elizabeth Smart's Father In Pittsburgh With Message For Parents

The father of kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart made a stop in Pittsburgh for a "Ride and Rally with the Alicia Project."

Before dawn on June 5, 2002, Elizabeth Smart, age 14, was kidnapped from her bedroom.

She was found alive nine months later on March 12, 2003, just a few miles from her home, with her captors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Eileen Barzee. Her abduction and recovery were widely reported in North American media and internationally.

Ed Smart has become a nationally renowned spokesperson for child protection, advocating for legislation and nonprofit organizations that focus on the prevention and recovery of missing children

Smart is on a cross country bike trip to advocate laws to protect children from predators.

The Alicia Project, involved in Sunday's stop, was named for Alicia Kozakiewicz. When she was 13, Kozakiewicz was lured by an online predator, and found alive in his Virginia home a few days later.

"Over time it has become extremely cathartic to share my story, but also to be the voice for the kids. Like you said, for the kids that are deceased or who are still being held captive who can't speak for themselves," said Kozakiewicz.

Organizers urge parents and legislators to get more involved.