A North Dakota mother is accused of fatally stabbing two of her three young children and critically injuring the third in what police are calling a "horrific" attack. Kailey Erhart, 22, faces nine charges, including two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The alleged incident occurred Thursday evening at Erhart's home in Mandan. Police responded to find Erhart covered in blood and holding a kitchen knife to her own throat. Officers discovered her three children, Morgan, 3, Ava, 5 months, and Colton, 1, with neck wounds. The two girls were unresponsive and later pronounced dead, while Colton survived after extensive surgery but sustained serious injuries.
![Kailey Erhart is accused of knifing her three young children in her Mandan, North Dakota home on Thursday in what police have called a 'horrific' attack]( "Kailey Erhart is accused of knifing her three young children in her Mandan, North Dakota home on Thursday in what police have called a 'horrific' attack')
According to an affidavit, Erhart allegedly sent a chilling five-word text message to the children's father, Cameron, before the attack, warning him to "say goodbye to your kids." The message was accompanied by a video that police say showed her with a pistol on her hip while carrying one of the children.
Erhart and Cameron were reportedly in the midst of a separation, with Cameron planning to file for divorce. The affidavit details a physical altercation between the parents prior to the alleged killings, during which Erhart reportedly threatened Cameron with a recently purchased gun. Cameron disarmed her during a struggle, scattering the weapon's parts.
During police questioning, Erhart stated she did not remember the events of the attack, claiming she believed the children's throats had been slit before she went to bed. She recalled holding the knife when officers arrived.
Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler described the crime scene as one of the most horrific his officers are likely to encounter and extended thoughts to those impacted by the incident.
Erhart has a history of mental health concerns. She had previously spoken on Facebook about struggling with postpartum depression after her eldest daughter's birth. The affidavit also notes she was institutionalized 12 to 18 months prior to the attack due to alleged threats to harm herself and the children, but was cleared to be around them upon discharge.
A judge has set Erhart's cash bond at $3 million. A formal no-contact order has been issued, preventing her from contacting the surviving child or family members. Her preliminary hearing and arraignment are scheduled for October 6. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Cameron and their surviving son, Colton, who is receiving ongoing medical care.