MANDAN, ND — A Mandan woman is accused of attacking her three young children with a kitchen knife inside a home Thursday evening, killing two and badly injuring the third. Police say officers forced their way inside after dispatchers reported the mother had locked herself in with the children and said she planned to kill them.
Kailey Erhart, 22, was booked into the Burleigh Morton Detention Center late Thursday and charged Friday with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and several assault, terrorizing and domestic violence charges. Prosecutors say she could face life in prison without parole if convicted.
How Police Entered
Mandan police said they were called to 1205 South Frontier Trail around 5:40 p.m. Thursday. Chief Jason Ziegler said officers heard sounds that matched an assault taking place and broke into the single-wide mobile home.
Inside, police found the three children on a bed with serious neck injuries. An affidavit says Erhart was covered in blood and holding a knife to her throat while telling officers to kill her. Police later said she told investigators she did not remember everything that happened.
Children And Family Present
Police did not immediately name the children, but Erhart’s social media page identifies them as Morgan, 3; Colton, nearly 2; and Ava, 6 months old. Police later said Morgan and Ava died of their injuries, while the 1-year-old child was still receiving treatment.
The father was at the scene and was interviewed, but he was not arrested. According to the affidavit, he told police Erhart had made past comments about killing herself and the children, and that he had recently planned to divorce her. A grandmother was also at the home, and the father showed officers cellphone video that he said captured Erhart with a gun before he disarmed it.
Court Orders And Next Steps
Judge Marina Spahr set Erhart’s bond at $3 million cash on Friday, citing the violent nature of the allegations and concerns for public safety. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 6.
Police said the investigation is still active, with help from the Morton County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Highway Patrol and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Mandan police also said they are offering counseling to officers and first responders who responded to the scene.
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