Murder of Eli Hart: mother sentenced to life in prison for killing son

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Eli Hart’s mother Julissa Thaler was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her 6-year-old son on May 20, 2022.

Thaler was sentenced Thursday, February 16, to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder. Before the judge sentenced her, she declared herself innocent, used a swear word, and called everyone “garbage”. (See the player above.)

Before sentencing, Eli’s father, Tory Hart, and his stepmother, Josie Josephson, both talked while wiping away tears. (See the player below.)

“Now we have a legal conclusion to this heartbreaking tragedy. But nothing will ever fill the void in the world that Eli left. I hope his family can slowly move forward and eventually find some level of peace,” said Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. statement on Thursday.

READ MORE: Murder of Eli Hart: Boy’s father testifies at Julissa Thaler’s trial

Authorities said Thaler, 29, from Spring Park, shot Eli up to nine times with a shotgun in his car and then hid his body in the trunk. Orono police stopped Thaler on May 20, 2022 after she was seen driving her car and had her window broken. The officers drove Thaler home and found Eli’s body in the trunk. Then she was arrested.

Meanwhile, Eli Hart’s father, Tory Hart, filed a wrongful death lawsuit earlier this year in connection with the murder of his son, seeking more than $75,000 in damages. The lawsuit alleges that Dakota County social services provided services to Eli, and Tori Hart alleged that the county and its employees were negligent. Dakota County and two Dakota County employees, Sherry Larson and Beth Dehner, were named in the lawsuit.

Tory Hart fought for custody of his son until his death. Tori Hart’s current wife, Josie Josephson, told FOX 9 that the boy’s mother struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues, and despite their repeated calls for help, his biological mother was given full custody of Eli before his death.

Efforts are being made to build a memorial site for Eli in Kurgan to honor the memory of the child. Here is the GoFundMe page.