MANDAN, ND — A Mandan woman is accused of attacking her three young children with a kitchen knife, killing two and seriously injuring the third, according to police and court records.
Kailey Erhart, 22, was booked late Thursday and charged Friday with two counts of murder, along with attempted murder and several other felony counts. Authorities say she could face life in prison without parole if convicted.
Police Entry and Arrest
Officers were called to a single-wide mobile home in Mandan around 5:40 p.m. Thursday after dispatchers reported the mother had locked herself inside with the children and planned to kill them, Police Chief Jason Ziegler said.
Police said they heard sounds suggesting an assault, forced their way inside and found the three children with serious injuries. An affidavit says all three were on a bed and had neck wounds when officers entered.
Erhart was found covered in blood, holding a knife to her throat and telling officers to kill her, the affidavit states. She was taken into custody without incident, and police said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Children Taken To Hospitals
First responders gave aid at the scene before the children were taken to local hospitals. Two were transported to Sanford Health, and the third was taken to CHI St. Alexius Health, according to police.
Ziegler said Friday that the 1-year-old child was still being treated. Police did not publicly identify the children, though Erhart’s Facebook page identifies them as Morgan, 3, Colton, nearly 2, and Ava, 6 months old.
Neighbors said they occasionally saw the children outside, but that Erhart mostly kept to herself. One neighbor said she heard screaming before emergency vehicles arrived.
Bond, Family Details
South Central District Judge Marina Spahr set Erhart’s bond at $3 million cash, citing the extreme nature of the allegations and public safety concerns. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 6.
Police said Erhart’s father of the children was present and interviewed but not arrested. Court records say he told officers Erhart had made past comments about killing herself and the children, and that she had received mental health services within the past year and a half.
The case remains under investigation, with help from the Morton County Sheriff’s Office, the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Mandan police said they are also offering counseling for officers and other first responders.
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