Was Devonte Hart Ever Found? Is He Still Alive?

Investigation Discovery’s two-part docuseries titled ‘Damaged Harts’ delves into the unsettling story of the Hart household. In March 2018, Jennifer Hart drove her wife and their six kids off a cliff in California, with them plummeting to their demise. Devonte Hart, who grew to become viral because the baby who hugged a police officer through the protests in Portland, Oregon, in 2014, was a part of the household as effectively. Within the months that adopted the crash, stays of all victims have been discovered, aside from Devonte’s. So, in the event you’re questioning what occurred to him, we’ve bought you lined.

What Occurred to Devonte Hart?

Devonte Jordan was born in 2002 to Sherry Davis and Clarence Celestine. On the time, Sherry was hooked on cocaine, resulting in the termination of her parental rights in 2006. Devonte and his siblings, Sierra and Jeremiah, have been then put within the care of his paternal aunt, Priscilla Celestine. However one night, she let the organic mom watch the children. This was in violation of an order set by the courtroom, and when a social employee noticed that, the children have been taken away from Priscilla.

In February 2009, Jennifer and Sarah Hart adopted Devonte and his two siblings, who then joined a household comprising three different kids. On March 26, 2018, all six kids have been within the SUV with their moms when it went off a cliff in Mendocino County, California. Whereas ensuing searches within the neighborhood led to the stays of Jennifer, Susan, and 5 of the six Hart kids, Devonte’s stays have been by no means recovered. Whereas initially declared a lacking particular person, the 15-year-old has since been presumed lifeless, given the circumstances.

Who Killed Devonte Hart?

An investigation rapidly revealed that Jennifer Hart was driving the car, and it appeared just like the crash was intentional. Other than Jennifer being drunk and no brake marks within the space, a disturbing sample of abuse started to emerge, with the six kids on the middle of it. Because the authorities talked to a number of individuals who knew the household or lived as their neighbors, it grew to become more and more obvious that the kids have been mistreated over time.

Earlier than their deaths, the Harts lived in Woodland, Washington, a spot they known as their residence since 2017. Their neighbors, the DeKalbs, talked of a collection of alarming incidents relating to the Harts. They said that beginning a number of days earlier than the crash, Devonte got here to them — generally two to 3 occasions a day — asking for meals. Amongst different issues, {the teenager} requested for peanut butter, tortillas, and cured meats. Finally, Devonte instructed the DeKalbs that his dad and mom, Jennifer and Sarah, have been punishing them by not letting them eat.

Devonte additional said that no matter Hannah, his sister, instructed them a number of months earlier was true. On the time, Hannah got here to the DeKalbs late one night time and needed to get away from her dad and mom as a result of they have been abusive. Devonte pleaded with them to not name the authorities for worry of the siblings being separated. Anxious, the DeKalbs ultimately known as the authorities, and simply a few days later, Harts’ deaths have been nationwide information.

Investigation confirmed that Jennifer and Sarah had a hand within the crash, and the kids’s method of demise was dominated a murder. Devonte, whose stays weren’t discovered, was presumed lifeless, believing that he was washed away within the ocean. His organic mom, Sherry, was crucial of how the authorities dealt with the abuse allegations. In 2018, she mentioned, “They’re so fast to grab [children] from folks like us. however as soon as they’re adopted, they don’t even test on them?”

Learn Extra: Why Did Jennifer and Sarah Hart Kill Their Children?