MANDAN, North Dakota — A mother allegedly told her children’s father to “say goodbye to your kids” — and then made good on the threat in the most devastating way imaginable.
Kailey Erhart, 22, is accused of killing two of her own children and attempting to kill a third inside a home on South Frontier Trail in Mandan on the evening of Aug. 6.
What Police Found Inside
When officers arrived, Erhart allegedly had a kitchen knife pressed to her own throat and was covered in blood. She dropped it and told officers to kill her before being taken into custody.
Police then followed a trail of blood to a bedroom — where three young children lay motionless on a bed, each with injuries to their necks.
A 3-year-old and a 5-month-old did not survive. A 1-year-old underwent surgery and lived.
“A scene like that is something that nobody should ever have to see in their lifetime,” said Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler.
What Happened Before Police Arrived
According to court documents, Erhart allegedly pointed a gun at the children’s father before the stabbings. The father managed to disassemble the weapon and scatter its parts through the house.
He then called 911.
A video from his phone reportedly shows Erhart holding one of the children with the gun at her hip, saying, “Say goodbye to your kids.”
The couple was in the process of separating. Investigators noted the father had previously raised concerns about Erhart expressing a desire to harm herself and the children — concerns that were known to state child welfare officials.
Erhart had recently been released from a mental health facility and was on medication at the time of the incident, police said.
She now faces two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and several additional charges. She is currently held on a $3 million bond.
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