Mandan, North Dakota — A North Dakota mother is facing multiple serious criminal charges after authorities say she killed two of her children and attempted to kill another inside a Mandan home.
Police responding to a frantic 911 call allegedly found the woman covered in blood with a knife at her own throat before discovering three injured children inside a bedroom.
The two youngest children died, while their 1-year-old sibling survived after emergency surgery.
Police Found Three Children Seriously Injured
The violence unfolded Thursday evening, Aug. 6, at a residence on South Frontier Trail in Mandan, about five miles northwest of Bismarck.
According to an affidavit cited by authorities, officers were dispatched after receiving reports that a mother had allegedly stabbed her children.
When officers arrived, they reportedly found Kailey Erhart, 22, inside the home. Police said she was covered in blood and holding a kitchen knife against her own throat.
Investigators said Erhart eventually dropped the knife and told officers to kill her before being taken into custody. Officers then followed a trail of blood through the residence.
Two Children Died in the Attack
The trail reportedly led investigators to a bedroom where three young children were found lying motionless on a bed. Police said all three had suffered cutting, slashing or stabbing injuries to their necks.
Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler announced Friday that a 3-year-old child and a 5-month-old baby died as a result of the attack. A 1-year-old child survived after undergoing surgery.
Describing the scene, Ziegler said, “A scene like that is something that nobody should ever have to see in their lifetime.” Authorities have not publicly released the children’s names.
Father Allegedly Received Chilling Threat
According to court documents, the children’s father and grandmother were at the residence before police arrived. Authorities allege Erhart chased both of them from the home while carrying a knife.
Before that, police say she allegedly pointed a gun at the children’s father and threatened to kill him.
The father reportedly managed to take the firearm away from her. He then disassembled the weapon and scattered its pieces throughout the house, according to investigators.
Police also obtained video from the father’s cellphone that allegedly showed Erhart holding one of the children while carrying a pistol. In the video, she allegedly warned the children’s father:
“Say goodbye to your kids.”
The father subsequently called 911.
Police Were Warned She Might Harm the Children
According to authorities, the initial information provided to emergency dispatchers was that the mother had locked herself inside the home with her three children and was threatening to kill them.
Investigators also learned that Erhart and the children’s father were in the process of separating or divorcing.
The father had reportedly previously expressed concerns about statements Erhart allegedly made about dying by suicide and killing the children.
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Police said those earlier concerns were known to the state’s child welfare agency.
At the time of the attack, authorities said Erhart had recently spent time in a mental health facility and was taking medication. She had reportedly been cleared to remain with her children.
Mother Faces Multiple Criminal Charges
After being taken into custody, Erhart was read her Miranda rights and allegedly spoke with investigators.
According to the affidavit, she said she remembered placing the children on the bed after their throats had been cut. She also reportedly remembered holding the knife when officers arrived, although investigators said she claimed she could not clearly remember the entire night.
Police have not announced a motive for the alleged attack.
Erhart now faces two counts of murder, along with three counts of aggravated assault, attempted murder, terrorizing, domestic violence resulting in bodily injury and child abuse, according to the Mandan Police Department.
She is being held at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center on $3 million bond. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against Erhart have not been proven in court.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case? Should authorities have been able to intervene earlier based on the alleged prior threats? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
