The Painful Story of How 6-Year-Old Eli Hart Lost His Life

A 29-year-old Minnesota woman, Julissa Thaler, was found guilty of fatally shooting her 6-year-old son, Eli Hart, just 10 days after regaining full custody of him. The woman had asked a store clerk for ammunition that would "blow the biggest hole." She was a know drug addict who also suffered mental health issues.

Background

According to court documents from Dakota County, the last two years of Eli Hart's life were primarily focused on a custody battle between Thaler, his mother, and Tory Hart, his biological father. In January 2021, records indicate that he was placed in foster care due to growing concerns about his mother's mental health.

“It was just expanding our hearts to accept him as our own child,” said Nikita Kronberg, whose family took Hart in for almost a year. “He was an amazing kid. He was full of energy, always smiling. So outgoing. He always wanted to befriend everyone.”

According to the court documents, Thaler's mental health, living condition, and criminal history were all sources of concern. However, despite these concerns, the court closed the case and awarded her full custody of her child just two weeks before she shot him several times killing him.

How Julissa Thaler Was Arrested

Police in Orono received a 911 call reporting a suspicious vehicle that was driving with a damaged tire and a broken rear window.

Julissa Thaler was stopped by law enforcement after driving with a damaged tire and a smashed window.

At the time of the traffic stop, Thaler told police: "Oh my God, someone shot my son - he's in the trunk!" The body was found in the trunk of the car with nine bullet wounds.

During the trial, an ex-boyfriend of Thaler, testified that she had an argument with Eli the night before he died because he refused to go to bed. Thaler then left the apartment, put a recently purchased shotgun in the car, grabbed her son, and went downstairs, according to his then boyfriend's report.

In the early morning of May 20, 2022, Julissa Thaler took her 6-year-old son, strapped him in the sit of her car before firing nine shots at his small body. Thaler repeatedly fired a shotgun at him, causing fatal injuries. She then placed Eli's body in the trunk of the car.

Negligence by The Child Protection Service

According to court documents, Tory Hart, Eli Hart's father, had been in a custody battle for his son. Eli's mother had a history of drug addiction and mental health problems.

"No matter how many cries we cried, they ignored us. No matter how many warning signs there were," said a concerned family member.

Despite making repeated calls for assistance, Eli's biological mother was granted full custody of him.

"That was it until last night when we got notified that he was found in the trunk of his mom’s car. Not only did we express concerns to multiple people, multiple times…every time the response was, ‘This is something for family courts.’ (CPS) said laws do not allow us to address this, unless (they) see physical abuse, (they) have no grounds to remove him from her home," said Tory's new partner, Josephson.

Trial and Sentencing

In January, a jury convicted her of first- and second-degree murder.

Tory Hart filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dakota County employees who awarded custody to Thaler. That case is scheduled for trial in 2024.

In February, Thaler was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, but she maintains her innocence. However, the evidence against her is overwhelming.

Due to the gravity of the case, jurors were offered crisis counselors.