MINNEAPOLIS -- A Minnesota woman who killed her 6-year-old son will now spend the rest of her life in prison without the possibility of parole.
On Thursday morning, a Hennepin County judge formally sentenced Julissa Thaler to the life sentence for Eli Hart's murder.
Thaler was arrested in Orono last May when a caller reported that the car she was driving had a shattered rear window and a blown-out tire. Her son's body was later found in the trunk of the car.
RELATED: Julissa Thaler found guilty on all counts in murder of her 6-year-old son, Eli Hart
In January, a jury convicted her of first- and second-degree murder.
It was an emotional day in court at the sentencing Thursday. Eli Hart's family had a framed class photo of him front and center as they spoke in front of the judge.
Nikita Kronberg, who is Eli Hart's former foster mother, said that Hart "meant the world to so many people. He was so kind and amazing. Always had a smile on his face. He made friends so easily and wanted to explore all the time."
Family also shared their disbelief of how the custody battle between Thaler, and Eli Hart's dad, Tory Hart, played out this past year.
Tory Hart filed a wrongful death suit against Dakota County employees who awarded custody to Thaler. That case is scheduled for trial in federal court in 2024.
"Everyone knows Eli Hart as the victim of this senseless and horrific crime. But Eli was so much more," said Josephine Josephson, Tory Hart's partner. "Eli was an amazing 6-year-old boy who always woke up full of energy and laughter."
"You," she said, speaking to Eli, "were the happy 6-year-old boy, our little boy, that we loved so deeply."
When Thaler was asked if she wanted to address the court, she agreed and said, "I'm innocent. F--- you all. You're garbage."
After court, family said their focus now turns to fundraising a playground in Mound in Eli Hart's honor, as well as making sure this doesn't happen to other kids in the future.
"We now have legal closure on this heartbreaking tragedy," said Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. "But nothing will ever fill the void in the world that Eli left behind. I hope his family can slowly move forward and eventually find some level of peace."
Watch: Julissa Thaler gives statement at sentencing, others give victim impact statements
Very emotional impact statements in court....
"Everyone knows Eli Hart as the victim of this senseless and horrific crime. But Eli was so much more," said Josephine Josephson, Hart's father's partner. "Eli was an amazing 6-year-old boy who always woke up full of energy and laughter."
"Eli was an innocent, loving 6-year-old boy. He did not deserve this. Eli deserved to grow and have a safe and happy life."
Nikita Kronberg, whose husband Stephen is Thaler's cousin, said that Hart "meant the world to so many people. He was so kind and amazing. Always had a smile on his face. He made friends so easily and wanted to explore all the time."
"He was the strongest 6-year-old that I knew. He could easily do 20 pushups, and have a huge smile on his face while doing them," Kronberg added.
"F--- you all": Thaler addresses court at sentencing
Thaler sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole
Julissa Thaler was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole in murder of her 6-year-old son, Eli Hart.
Mound community raising money to build Eli Hart Memorial Playground
A group of nearly 200 people are on a mission to raise $200,000 to build a playground in honor of Eli Hart at Surfside Park in Mound.
The group kickstarted the effort in July by selling homemade bracelets, along with t-shirts and wristbands.
The idea started after a community meeting when some members of the community expressed their desire for a permanent fixture to honor Hart in the city. That's when the idea of replacing the playground at Surfside came into play.
If the group can raise the necessary funds, construction on the playground could start as early as this year.
Earlier in July, the Mound City Council unanimously passed a resolution to rename a portion of a bridge to memorialize Hart. The city said it would work with Hennepin County to rename a portion of Shoreline Drive that goes over Seton Channel the "Eli Hart Memorial Bridge."
