In the days following the a family’s SUV plunge off a Northern California cliff in March, investigators searched their Washington home in an effort to find the children still missing.
Instead, officials found a ‘sterile’ home that did not have ‘any indication’ six children had been living there.
Authorities found the remains of Jennifer Hart, 28, Sarah Hart, 38, and three of their adopted children Markis Hart, 19, Jeremiah Hart, 14, and Abigail Hart, 14, but the other children were believed to be missing.
This led Clark County Sheriff’s officials to scour the home for any clues, but police said they found the home to be ‘extremely clean and organized, giving a perception of being very sterile.’
Jennifer and Sarah Hart, 39, were not wearing seatbelts when they drove off a cliff, killing themselves and their children. From left to right: Hannah, Abigail, Sierra, Jeremiah, Jennifer, Devonte, Markis and Sarah Hart
Investigatora say the family’s Washington home was ‘extremely clean’ and did not indicate six children lived there when they searched it days after the crash
Investigators believe that Jennifer drove the car off the cliff (pictured) intentionally as there were no skid marks and evidence shows the speedometer was ‘pinned’ at 90mph
According to warrants obtained by KOIN, Detective Joe Swenson said: ‘The house was so orderly and nothing seemed out place regarding any belongings, toys or entertainment items the children may have owned.
‘There was very little to show the children had access to any toys or items or entertainment, save for some board games found in the downstairs living room.’
There were also empty picture frames hanging on the walls.
‘None of the rooms were personalized for the children or showed the supporting elements that children lived in the residence,’ Detective Lindsay Schultz said.
‘I did not get any indication that children lived in the house,’ Swenson said.
Swenson also noted that the kitchen and refrigerator were stocked with newly-purchased perishable items and empty luggage was left at the house.
This indicated to police that their road trip was unplanned.
Detectives say they found empty picture frames hanging on the wall of the home
Clark County Sheriff’s officials said the home was ‘extremely clean’ and not personalized
They also found newly-purchased perishable food and found the family’s empty luggage and toiletries which indicates the road trip was unplanned
Jennifer and Sarah are thought to have fled their home the same day a case worker visited them over abuse claims.
It has recently emerged that authorities were beginning an investigation into the couple over allegations they starved and whipped their children.
An intake report from Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services filed March 23 paints a picture of horrific abuse leading up to the family’s annihilation.
Neighbors’ reports state the parents starved their children as a punishment and whipped them with belts.
The children asked neighbors for food on numerous occasions and one even reportedly leaped out of a window to try to escape, the documents reveal.
A helicopter hovers over steep coastal cliffs in Northern California, where a the Hart’s SUV, visible at lower right, plunged about 100 feet off a cliff
At least four reports of suspected child abuse in the Hart family were made during the past seven years.
Adding to the picture of abuse is the fact that Sarah Hart pleaded guilty in 2011 to a domestic assault charge in Minnesota over what she said was a spanking given to one of her children.
Investigators believe that Jennifer drove the car off the cliff intentionally as there were no skid marks and evidence shows the speedometer was ‘pinned’ at 90mph.
The couple was also not wearing seatbelts.
They said the SUV had stopped at a coastal highway overlook before speeding straight off the cliff and plummeting 100 feet into the rocky Pacific Ocean below.
The body of Ciera Hart, 12, was found in March and identified by authorities in California. She was the youngest of the six children. The bodies of 16-year-old Hannah and 15-year-old Devonte were not found.