EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 13 MIN
Julissa Thaler: The Mother Who Bought a Shotgun After Losing Custody Battle
from 10 Minute Murder | Bingeable True Crime Stories · host Joe
Julissa Thaler: The Mother Who Bought a Shotgun After Losing Custody BattleIn May 2022, Orono police discovered six-year-old Eli Hart's body in the trunk of his mother Julissa Thaler's vehicle during a routine traffic stop in Minnesota. The investigation revealed Thaler had shot Eli up to nine times with a 12-gauge shotgun just ten days after regaining full custody. Evidence included the weapon purchase six days after the father filed for custody, Google searches about child blood loss and life insurance payouts, and ammunition specifically requested to "blow the biggest hole." Despite 21 police calls to Thaler's home, documented mental health crises, and explicit warnings from family members that she would kill Eli rather than lose custody, Dakota County Social Services recommended returning the child to her care.Eli was a kindergartener who loved the monkey bars, fishing with his dad, and making friends at school. Despite being born with medical challenges that required surgeries and hearing aids, everyone said he was one of the happiest kids they'd ever met. His foster mother told social workers directly that she believed Thaler would murder Eli to keep him from his father. Two weeks after getting full custody, that's exactly what happened.#EliHart #JulissaThaler #TrueCrime #MinnesotaMurder #ChildWelfare #Justice #SystemFailure🔔 Subscribe for True Crime Cases multiple times a weekNever miss a story. Subscribe to 10 Minute Murder for bite-sized true crime episodes delivered fresh every week.Get a weekly email from me about the upcoming cases and more: 10minutemurder.com/newsletter📱 Follow for Behind-the-Scenes Content Get exclusive case updates, research photos, and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes:Instagram: @10minutemurder on IGFacebook: 10 Minute Murder on FBTikTok: 10 Minute Murder on TikTok💬 Have a Case Suggestion? Know a fascinating case that deserves coverage? I love listener suggestions and feature the best ones in upcoming episodes. Email: [email protected] Website: 10minutemurder.com ⭐ Help Grow the True Crime CommunityRate & Review: Leave a 5-star review to help other true crime fans discover the showShare: Send this episode to fellow true crime enthusiastsJoin the Discussion: Tag us in your episode reactions on social media🎧 Want Even More True Crime? If you love the brief and bingeable vibe, check out my other podcast: 10 Minute Mystery - same bingeable storytelling, different cases. Search "10 Minute Mystery" wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for being part of the 10 Minute Murder community. Let's make 2025 the ultimate year for bite-sized true crime storytelling. 🖤Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/10-minute-murder-bingeable-true-crime-stories--4603604/support.
What this episode covers
Julissa Thaler: The Mother Who Bought a Shotgun After Losing Custody BattleIn May 2022, Orono police discovered six-year-old Eli Hart's body in the trunk of his mother Julissa Thaler's vehicle during a routine traffic stop in Minnesota. The investigation revealed Thaler had shot Eli up to nine times with a 12-gauge shotgun just ten days after regaining full custody. Evidence included the weapon purchase six days after the father filed for custody, Google searches about child blood loss and life insurance payouts, and ammunition specifically requested to "blow the biggest hole." Despite 21 police calls to Thaler's home, documented mental health crises, and explicit warnings from family members that she would kill Eli rather than lose custody, Dakota County Social Services recommended returning the child to her care.Eli was a kindergartener who loved the monkey bars, fishing with his dad, and making friends at school. Despite being born with medical challenges that required surgeries and hearing aids, everyone said he was one of the happiest kids they'd ever met. His foster mother told social workers directly that she believed Thaler would murder Eli to keep him from his father. Two weeks after getting full custody, that's exactly what happened.#EliHart #JulissaThaler #TrueCrime #MinnesotaMurder #ChildWelfare #Justice #SystemFailure🔔 Subscribe for True Crime Cases multiple times a weekNever miss a story. Subscribe to 10 Minute Murder for bite-sized true crime episodes delivered fresh every week.Get a weekly email from me about the upcoming cases and more: 10minutemurder.com/newsletter📱 Follow for Behind-the-Scenes Content Get exclusive case updates, research photos, and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes:Instagram: @10minutemurder on IGFacebook: 10 Minute Murder on FBTikTok: 10 Minute Murder on TikTok💬 Have a Case Suggestion? Know a fascinating case that deserves coverage? I love listener suggestions and feature the best ones in upcoming episodes. Email: [email protected] Website: 10minutemurder.com ⭐ Help Grow the True Crime CommunityRate & Review: Leave a 5-star review to help other true crime fans discover the showShare: Send this episode to fellow true crime enthusiastsJoin the Discussion: Tag us in your episode reactions on social media🎧 Want Even More True Crime? If you love the brief and bingeable vibe, check out my other podcast: 10 Minute Mystery - same bingeable storytelling, different cases. Search "10 Minute Mystery" wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for being part of the 10 Minute Murder community. Let's make 2025 the ultimate year for bite-sized true crime storytelling. 🖤Become a supporter of this podcast: <a...
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Julissa Thaler: The Mother Who Bought a Shotgun After Losing Custody Battle
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