CW: Child Loss
For a parent, the death of a child is an unimaginable tragedy. Emily Hart, an Australian mother, faced the heartbreaking loss of all four of her children over a decade, each passing away as an infant. In 2003, she was found guilty of murdering her children, despite the fact that the first three deaths had been attributed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, a recent movement of 90 scientists has come forward, urging the New South Wales governor to pardon Hart based on new genetic evidence that raises serious questions about her conviction, suggesting she may have been wrongfully imprisoned.
A Timeline of Devastating Loss
Emily married Daniel Hart in 1987, and their first child, a son named Caleb, was born in early 1989. Tragically, Caleb passed away at just 19 days old, with SIDS listed as the cause of death.
Less than a year later, Emily became pregnant again, and the couple took precautions to create a safe environment for their new baby. Patrick was born in June 1990, and after a week and a half, he underwent a sleep study, which showed no abnormalities. However, at four months old, Patrick suffered a life-threatening event that resulted in brain damage and ultimately led to his death at eight months old.
Following Patrick’s death, Emily fell into a deep depression. She became pregnant again and was overly cautious throughout her pregnancy, hoping to avoid another loss. Their daughter, Sarah, was born in October 1992, but Emily struggled to bond with her due to fear. Sadly, Sarah died at just 10 months old, also attributed to SIDS.
The couple faced immense challenges after Sarah’s death, including Daniel’s depression. They tried to rebuild their marriage, and Emily gave birth to their fourth child, Laura, in August 1997. Laura, too, underwent tests that revealed no issues, but she died in March 1999 at 18 months old. The autopsy found myocarditis, but it was deemed incidental.
In April 2001, after a series of interviews and the submission of Emily’s diary by Daniel to the authorities, she was arrested and charged with four counts of murder. She was convicted in 2003 and has been in prison since.
The New Genetic Evidence
Despite the circumstantial evidence against her, Emily Hart has consistently maintained her innocence. Recent scientific research has uncovered a genetic mutation, CALM2 G114R, present in Emily and her two daughters, which could have led to their deaths. These mutations, though rare, can cause heart issues in infants, increasing their vulnerability to SIDS. Notably, both daughters’ deaths followed infections that may have worsened their conditions.
Additionally, Caleb and Patrick had a different rare genetic mutation known as BSN, or “bassoon genes.” Research into this mutation continues, but it has been associated with potential risks during epileptic seizures, which Patrick experienced.
These findings have prompted the group of scientists to petition for Emily’s pardon. Professor Fiona Stanley, a child health expert, expressed concern that medical and scientific evidence has been overlooked in favor of circumstantial evidence, stating, “We now have an alternative explanation for the death of the Hart children.”
Diary Entries That Raise Questions
Judges in Emily’s case noted several circumstantial coincidences that collectively suggest a troubling pattern. Among the evidence were Emily’s diary entries, which exhibited her struggles with motherhood and her fears regarding her children’s safety.
Here are a few excerpts from her diary:
- June 3, 1990: “I had mixed feelings this day wether I was going to cope as a mother or wether I was going to get stressed out like I did last time.”
- December 4, 1996: “I’ve already decided if I get any feelings of jealousy or anger too much I will leave Daniel and baby, rather than answer being as before.”
- January 28, 1998: “I feel like the worst mother on this earth, scared that she will leave me now, like Sarah did.”
While the inquiry acknowledges that a mother who has lost children to unexplained causes may blame herself, the collection of diary entries alongside the circumstantial evidence has led judges to view them as a significant factor in ruling out reasonable doubt.
Revisiting Reasonable Doubt
Emily and Daniel endured a tumultuous marriage, with court transcripts revealing that Daniel did not assist Emily with childcare, leading to her exhaustion and stress. The question remains: are her diary entries mere expressions of the dark thoughts many parents experience, or do they imply guilt?
With the emergence of new scientific evidence, the group of scientists believes it warrants reopening Emily’s appeal, allowing the new findings to be appropriately considered. The state’s attorney general is currently reviewing the petition.
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Summary
Emily Hart was convicted of murdering her four children, who each died as infants under tragic circumstances. Recent advances in genetic research have led to a growing belief that she may have been wrongfully imprisoned. A group of 90 scientists is advocating for her pardon based on new evidence suggesting genetic factors could explain the children’s deaths. The case remains complex, balancing circumstantial evidence and emotional struggles documented in her diary against the backdrop of emerging scientific findings.
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