Mary “Beth” Byrne Smith, who mysteriously left her personal and professional life March 24, sat stoically and remained silent Thursday morning, Aug. 2, as Fairhope attorney Robert Stankoski briefly stated her departure was based on “emotional distress” and that her return was prompted by her “love and affection” for her children.

Following the eight-minute press conference held in Stankoski’s office, her retained attorney declined to answer questions. Smith left with her husband, Jason Smith, pastor of Summerdale First Baptist Church.

Stankoski later declined to say if Smith, a former teacher at Elsanor School, planned to reunite with her husband.

“She is exploring different possibilities as to how to resume her life,” Stankoski said. “She will resume living in the area and looks forward to spending time with her children.

“She also is exploring the possibility of returning to teaching. Teaching is very important to her.

“She realized that she made a serious mistake in judgment by leaving under the circumstances causing great concern to her family and friends.

“She looks forward to correcting the misstatements made about her departure from the state and those statements made about her marital and personal life. However, these will be addressed at a later date.”

Baldwin County Board of Education spokesperson Terry Wilhite said Friday that Smith has not contacted the BOE concerning employment.

“She is a tenured teacher and can return,” Wilhite said.

Smith disappeared four months ago from a women’s religious retreat at the the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, La. Her disappearance sparked a nationwide search for the 30-year-old woman.

The July 30 announcement that Smith was in New York state came after Bossier City detectives released pictures last week of Smith pawning her wedding ring on the day she disappeared.

Bossier City Police Chief Mike Halphen said in a press release issued July 30 that Smith told detectives she is in good health and "left of her own free will."

"It's a private matter involving a woman who chose for whatever reason to leave her life," said Public Information Officer Mark Natale of Bossier City on Tuesday. "We're done with it," he said of the investigation, noting no laws were broken in connection with Smith's disappearance. The Smith case is now considered closed by Bossier City police, he said.

Stankoski said Thursday that Smith used no aliases during her stay in New York and did not attempt to conceal her identity or location.

“Using public assistance provided by the city and state of New York, Mrs. Smith found temporary housing and obtained gainful employment,” Stankoski said. “She was holding three different jobs through the week and on the weekends.

“Leaving was not a premeditated plan, but based upon emotional distress in her personal life, Mrs. Smith felt she had no choice but to take these actions,” he said in a prepared statement.

Stankoski declined to say if Smith planned any judicial action.

“We have not filed any action in the court system and there are none against her,” he said. “There is no timetable. It depends on information that comes forward and the options and if they need to be addressed.”

Right after authorities in Bossier City released pictures of the pawning, detectives learned that the missing woman had applied for a copy of her teaching certificate through the Alabama Department of Education, Natale said.

The certificate was mailed to a location in New York state. Detectives were able to verify that Smith had, indeed, applied for a teaching position in New York. Detectives were eventually able to contact Smith on July 27 at a "fast food restaurant" where she was working. At that time, authorities were able to confirm Smith's identity based on personal information she provided.

On the day she disappeared, Smith told a local friend who was attending the retreat/Bible conference with her that she was going to the restroom.

Staff Writer Bob Morgan contributed to this report.