This is the story of the Hart Family:
Jennifer Hart and Sarah Gengler met at Northern State University in Aberdeen South Dakota. In 2005, Sara petitioned to take the surname of her then partner, Jennifer. (marriage records?) The couple adopted three siblings, Markis, Abbigail, and Sierra in the fall of 2006 in Colorado County, Texas. Three years later, they completed their family when they adopted three more children, Hannah, Devonte, and Jeremiah from Harris County, Texas.
They were a real life “Modern Family”- So progressive: two white women who had adopted 6 black children, all with a history of violence and abuse, developmental disabilities, and mental health concerns.
Six children who now lived a seemingly free-spirited life filled with adventure: they went on camping trips, to concerts and political rallies. As active as they were in the real world, they also were active on social media. The photos and videos they shared online depict a full-of-life family, constantly hitting the road for a trip to the mountains or a protest in the city, always clad in bright colors and matching outfits- They shared a glimpse into their home life filled with food they had grown themselves, family pets, music and dance parties, lots of smiles, and lots of love.
The children were enrolled in public school in Alexandria, MN from September of 2009 to April of 2011, when Jen and Sarah began homeschooling. In 2013, after allegedly being targeted by the Ku Klux Klan, the family moved to West Linn, Oregon, a southern suburb within the Portland metropolitan area. In 2011, the city was ranked by CNN/Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live 2011”. West Linn, now known as “Tree City USA”, was the perfect place for two women who seemed to be a culmination of Mother Earth incarnate.
The family was politically active, taking to the streets with signs and posters to convey their messages of love and light, peace and equality. Their son, Devonte, was often seen wearing a “Free Hugs” sign around his neck, offering an embrace to anyone who might need one, always with a smile on his face. For many birthdays, he’d ask for charitable donations to an organization of the Hart’s choosing in lieu of presents. He was wise beyond his years.
In 2014 while attending a protest in Portland, Devonte, then 12 years old, was photographed hugging a white police officer, tears streaking his face, visibly overwhelmed with emotion. The picture went viral, and suddenly the Hart family was thrust into a world they might not have been prepared for.
After the picture was seen around the world Jen Hart addressed the events of that day:
“We hit the streets (Nov. 25) with the intention of spreading love and kindness, and to remind (ALL) people that they matter in this world. … I noticed Devonte was struggling. Tears. He wouldn’t speak. He was inconsolable. My son has a heart of a gold, compassion beyond anything I’ve ever experienced, yet struggles with living fearlessly when it comes to the police and people that don’t understand the complexity of racism that is prevalent in our society.… It was one of the most emotionally charged experiences I’ve had as a mother. He trembled holding a Free Hugs sign as he bravely stood alone in front of the police barricade. Tears rushing from his eyes and soaking his sweater, he gazed upon them not knowing how they would react. After a while, one of the officers approached him and extended his hand. Their interaction was uncomfortable at first. … There were generic questions about his favorite subject and what he liked to do in the summer, but the one that mattered hit straight to the heart. He asked Devonte why he was crying. His response about his concerns regarding the level of police brutality towards young black kids was met with an unexpected and seemingly authentic (to Devonte), “Yes. *sigh* I know. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” The officer then asked if he could have one of his hugs.”
After Devonte’s picture went viral, the family was left feeling exposed and vulnerable once again, just as they had when they left Minnesota. People emailed them death threats, and Jen said that they avoided going out in public for fear that Devonte would be recognized and threatened. They kept their circle close, or so it seems- but they continued to do the things they loved: attending music festivals and spiritual retreats, and of course their political activism. In 2016, the family was photographed in matching blue shirts holding various signs and posters standing on stage alongside Bernie Sanders as he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.
In 2017, as the country’s political climate began to rapidly change, Jen and Sarah came across a flyer posted on a telephone pole promoting White Supremacy in the Portland area. They were two white women raising six black children, and had a public persona- They couldn’t leave themselves open to any potential threat, and again decided it was time to move. The family bought a beautiful home on a two-acre plot of land in Woodland, Washington, a town only 20 miles north of Vancouver with a population less than 6,000. Photos of the home show us a picturesque rural area, perfect for a family who loved nature, and was also trying to avoid prying eyes and media attention. They had a large garden in their yard, chickens who were often featured in their family photos, and lots of land for the children to run and feel free. They finally felt at home.
Once the family settled in Washington, it seems they went off the grid. They had taken a hiatus from their usual social media activity, no longer updating people on the goings-on of their lives; No more fun pictures of silly kids in fedoras or family photos in matching shirts. In June of 2017, Jen Hart posted a letter to Facebook about why the family had removed themselves and the renewed their focus on their own mental health and well being.
“Insert manic, paranoid facebook post here”
And that’s where the tides begin to change.
Tell me how a story like this becomes the subject of a true crime podcast?
This isn’t an adoption success story. We’re not here to tell you about the ups and downs of raising children from a troubled past, or to commend the selflessness of these two women. It’s not about free hugs and peace and love. This story isn’t one to emulate or admire.
This is a story about a family who ended up dead at the bottom of a cliff, 500 miles from their home- two moms dead in the front seat, the bodies of three precious children, lifeless on the rocks, and three children still missing. As questions linger and more arise, one that has been answered for us already- This wasn’t an accident.
This is the story of the Hart Family.
Real Crime Cafe 