The father of a 6-year-old Minnesota boy, Eli Hart, has reached a $2.25 million settlement in a lawsuit over his son’s heartbreaking death. Eli was tragically killed by his mother, Julissa Thaler, during a bitter custody battle.
Tory Hart, Eli’s father, sued Dakota County and three social workers, claiming they ignored his warnings about Thaler’s history of drug use, paranoia, and erratic behavior. Despite these concerns, a judge granted Thaler full custody, following the advice of social workers.
As part of the settlement, Hart will receive over $1.2 million, while Eli’s grandparents will each receive $25,000. The rest will cover legal fees.
“This settlement holds the county accountable for its child protection failures,” said the Hart family’s lawyer, Andrew Davick. “We hope this case pushes other counties to prioritize protecting children.”
Dakota County expressed its sympathy but said the settlement doesn’t mean they admit to any wrongdoing. “The murder of Eli Hart was a horrific tragedy,” a spokesperson said. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family.”
What Happened to Eli
On May 19, 2022, Thaler fired nine shotgun rounds into her young son. The next day, she drove around with Eli’s body in her car trunk and tried to dispose of his remains at a gas station dumpster. Police later found evidence, including a shotgun, in her vehicle and recovered items from the dumpster.
Thaler was sentenced to life in prison without parole. During the trial, she shocked everyone by claiming she was innocent and hurling insults at the courtroom.
Eli’s Family Speaks Out
At the sentencing, Eli’s family shared emotional stories about how much he meant to them. His stepmother, Josephine Josephson, described the deep bond between Eli and his father. “Nothing will ever be the same. The pain will never go away,” she said.
Eli’s aunt, Nikita Kromberg, tearfully shared how fostering Eli brought joy to her family. Her youngest son now remembers Eli as a butterfly. “To this day, I blame myself for not doing more to save him,” she admitted.
The judge comforted Kromberg, reminding her that Eli’s death wasn’t her fault. “You made his life better,” he told her.
A System That Failed
The tragedy highlights serious flaws in the child protection system. Hart had repeatedly warned authorities about Thaler’s dangerous behavior, but his concerns were overlooked. Now, with the settlement, Eli’s family hopes to bring attention to these failures and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This heartbreaking story is a reminder of the importance of listening to family members and prioritizing children’s safety.
