The story of The Hart Family is one that initially captivated hearts worldwide. Jennifer and Sarah Hart, seemingly loving wives, presented an idyllic family life online with their six adopted children: Markis, Hannah, Devonte, Abigail, Jeremiah, and Sierra. Their image was one of inclusivity and love, epitomized by a viral photo of their son Devonte embracing a police officer during a 2014 Black Lives Matter protest. However, beneath this carefully constructed façade lay a disturbing reality of abuse, neglect, and ultimately, a horrific tragedy that claimed the lives of the entire Hart family. On March 26, 2018, Jennifer Hart deliberately drove their SUV off a cliff in Mendocino County, California, killing herself, Sarah, and all six children.
The Picture-Perfect Image and the Viral Photo
For many, the Hart family embodied modern, progressive family values. Their social media profiles painted a portrait of adventure, love, and unity. This carefully curated image reached a global audience in December 2014 when a photograph of Devonte Hart, then 12, went viral.
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The image, captured at a Portland, Oregon Black Lives Matter protest following the non-indictment of officer Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown shooting, showed a tearful Devonte hugging a white police officer. This poignant moment of empathy and connection resonated deeply, spreading rapidly across the internet and solidifying the Hart family in the public consciousness as symbols of compassion and understanding. Jennifer Hart, in the aftermath of the photo’s virality, expressed concerns about the family’s safety, citing death threats and urging followers to refrain from sharing images of her children online, emphasizing the “fragile and challenging beginnings” of her adopted children.
Abuse Allegations Surface: Cracks in the Façade
While the world saw a family radiating love and acceptance, a darker truth was unfolding behind closed doors. Years before the tragic crash, allegations of abuse and mistreatment had begun to surface, revealing deep cracks in the carefully constructed façade of the Hart family.
Early Signs in Minnesota
Prior to their move to Oregon, the Harts resided in Alexandria, Minnesota. In 2008, the first documented instance of suspected abuse emerged when Hannah, then six years old, arrived at school with bruises on her arm.
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Hannah confided in her teacher that the bruises were a result of being hit with a belt. While Sarah and Jennifer Hart denied any knowledge of how Hannah sustained the injuries, suggesting a fall down the stairs, no charges were filed at the time. Following this incident, the Harts withdrew their children from school to homeschool them, only to re-enroll them the following fall.
Domestic Assault Charge
In 2011, further allegations arose, leading to legal consequences for Sarah Hart. Abigail, then six years old, told a teacher about “owies” on her back and stomach, disclosing that they were caused by being hit by her mother. Sarah Hart admitted to police that spanking had been used as a disciplinary measure for Abigail’s behavior, a departure from their usual practices, she claimed. This admission resulted in Sarah being charged with domestic assault and malicious punishment. She received a sentence of 90 days in jail (stayed), community service, and a year of unsupervised probation. Days before Sarah’s conviction, the Harts permanently removed their children from school once again, opting for homeschooling.
CPS Involvement in Oregon
The Hart family relocated to Oregon in 2012, failing to inform the school district about their homeschooling plans. By 2013, concerns escalated to the point of intervention by Child Protective Services (CPS). Two separate whistleblowers reported the family to authorities. One alleged that the children seemed terrified of Jennifer, eating freely only when she was absent and denying food intake when questioned by her. This whistleblower described Jennifer’s punishments as harsh and the children’s behavior as robotic and overly disciplined.
Another former friend contacted CPS after the Hart family stayed at their home, reporting Jennifer’s regimented and boot camp-like approach to the children, expressing concern about her anger towards them for normal childhood behaviors like laughing too loudly. A CPS report from Oregon noted that all children were small for their age based on growth charts, but without prior medical records for comparison, the case was closed with a vague note of “indications of child abuse or neglect” but insufficient proof.
Desperate Pleas for Help in Washington
In May 2017, the Hart family moved to Washington state. Shortly after, disturbing accounts emerged from their new neighbors, Dana and Bruce DeKalb. In the summer of 2017, Hannah, then actually 16 years old but presented by the Harts as 12, fled to the DeKalbs’ home in the middle of the night.
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Hannah begged for help, claiming abuse, racism, and beatings with a belt by Sarah and Jennifer. The Hart women arrived shortly after, entering the DeKalbs’ home without permission to retrieve Hannah. The next day, Hannah was made to apologize and write a note expressing remorse for “disturbing their peace” and lying. Despite initial hesitation due to Jennifer’s manipulative demeanor, Dana DeKalb’s father contacted CPS two months later. Dana reported to CPS the children were never seen outside. She was allegedly told that keeping children indoors was not illegal.
The DeKalbs also witnessed Devonte secretly seeking food from them, explaining that the mothers withheld food for days. Devonte corroborated Hannah’s abuse claims and displayed signs of malnourishment. Despite Devonte’s pleas against involving authorities for fear of separation, Dana DeKalb eventually called CPS on March 23, 2018, after Devonte’s tenth visit seeking food. A CPS agent visited the Hart residence but received no response. Subsequent attempts to contact the family on March 26 and 27 were also unsuccessful, unknowingly coinciding with the family’s final, fatal journey.
The Tragic Crash and Intentional Act
After being on the road for approximately 54 hours, the Hart family arrived in Northern California. On March 26, 2018, Jennifer Hart drove their vehicle over a cliff on Highway 1 in Mendocino County. Initially treated as a possible accident, investigations soon revealed a far more sinister truth.
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Toxicology reports confirmed that Jennifer Hart was driving under the influence of alcohol, with a blood alcohol level of 0.102%. Furthermore, Sarah Hart and at least two of the children had high levels of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, in their systems. Evidence revealed that Sarah Hart had conducted Google searches regarding drowning, Benadryl overdoses, and hypothermia in cars, and deleted her search history, unequivocally pointing towards a premeditated act of murder-suicide. Jennifer’s intoxication, unusual for her, was speculated to be a means of solidifying her resolve to carry out the horrific plan.
Conflicting Emotions and Lingering Questions
The deaths of the Hart family sparked a complex wave of emotions, ranging from disbelief and grief to anger and a desperate search for understanding. Friends of Jennifer and Sarah Hart struggled to reconcile the loving image they projected with the brutal reality of their actions.
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Some friends initially questioned the intentional nature of the crash, finding it impossible to believe that Jennifer and Sarah could deliberately harm their children. Others grappled with feelings of betrayal and questioned their own judgment, wondering if they had truly known the women behind the smiles and social media posts. The tragedy forced many to confront the uncomfortable truth that appearances can be deceiving, and that even seemingly idyllic families can harbor dark secrets.
Aftermath and Unanswered Questions
A year after the crash, an inquest provided further grim details. Jennifer Hart was found to be the only occupant wearing a seatbelt. The bodies of Jennifer and Sarah were severely disfigured, with Sarah identified through her driver’s license. A forensic pathologist determined that the family likely died almost instantly from spinal injuries upon impact. Sierra’s body was too decomposed to determine a cause of death. Devonte’s body was never recovered but he was legally declared deceased.
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The Hart family tragedy remains a stark reminder of the hidden realities behind social media portrayals and the devastating consequences of child abuse. It underscores the critical importance of vigilance, intervention, and support systems to protect vulnerable children. The viral image of Devonte, once a symbol of hope and unity, is now tragically juxtaposed with the horrifying truth of the Hart family‘s final act, leaving a legacy of sorrow and unanswered questions.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
