SHOCK NEWS: Drunk mum kills her six kids and partner as their car plunges off cliff
Authorities say Jennifer Hart was drunk when she drove off the cliff - and the whole family had large amounts of a drug in their systems
By Nikki Black
April 04 2019
A mum-of-six was drunk when she drove her SUV off a cliff with her children and partner inside, a forensic pathologist testified.
Jennifer Hart, Sarah Hart and their six adopted children were all in the car as it hurtled off the road near San Francisco, the court heard - coroners are trying to determine if the crash was accidental or a murder-suicide.
The 100-foot drop on March 26, 2018 killed the two women from Woodland, Washington, USA and their children Markis Hart, 19; Jeremiah Hart, 14; Abigail Hart, 14; Hannah Hart, 16; and Ciera Hart, 12.
Devonte Hart, 15, is believed to have also died in the accident, but his body has never been found.
The two women and three of the kids died of broken necks, according to reports. But all the family had high levels of Bendryl in their system.
Sarah Hart and her children/Facebook
Dr Greg Pizarro told the inquest jury that Jennifer Hart's blood alcohol level was .102 at the time of the crash — well above California's limit of 0.08.
The crash happened just days after authorities had opened an investigation following allegations the children were being neglected. Neighbours had filed a complaint saying the believed the children were being starved as a punishment.
After social workers went to talk to the family, they became concerned when there was no answer. Three days later, their SUV was found in the ocean, below a rugged cliff.
Her wife, Sarah, and several children had large amounts of a drug in their systems that can cause drowsiness, authorities have said.
Back in 2011, Sarah had pleaded guilty to a domestic assault charge in Minnesota over what she declared to be a spanking given to one of her children.
Oregon child welfare officials also investigated the couple in 2013, but closed the case without taking any action.
The inquest continues.
