DAKOTA COUNTY, Minn. — Two and a half years after the death of 6-year-old Eli Hart, his father has settled with Dakota County in a federal wrongful death lawsuit.
Eli died on May 20, 2022, when he was shot by his mother Julissa Thaler, in Spring Grove. Investigators said Thaler shot the boy while he was strapped in his car seat, and stuffed his mangled body in her trunk.
A KARE 11 Investigates report found that only 10 days earlier, Dakota County had closed a child protection case against Thaler, one in which records show she repeatedly lied to caseworkers, filed false court claims, failed drug tests, committed crimes and even stalked the boy’s foster parents.
“This is one of the most shocking child fatalities, one of the most shocking failures of child protection I’ve seen in many decades of working in child welfare,” said Dee Wilson, who reviewed the records for KARE 11.
A federal wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Eli's biological father, Tory Hart, accusing Dakota County of negligence. According to court documents, the defendants in the case, Dakota County, have agreed to tender $2.25 million to Eli's family. Eli's father and three grandparents will receive more than a million dollars, with the rest going to attorneys.
"No amount of money will ever bring Eli back. We're relieved that we can now close this chapter and continue with our healing," said Eli's foster mom, Nikita Kronberg. "We really hope that they look at Eli's case, and really dig deep into how they do everything and change things to do a better job at protecting these children, because they definitely, 100 percent, failed Eli."
Thaler was found guilty in 2023 of one count each of premeditated first-degree murder and second-degree murder. She automatically received a life sentence without parole for a premeditated murder conviction.
Dakota County sent KARE 11 the following statement:
“The murder of Eli Hart was a horrific tragedy. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and to all those affected by his death.
The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing, but it brings closure to a very emotional case for family, county staff and all involved.
Dakota County remains firmly committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community’s children.”