(KFYR) Emergency responders, family and the community of Mandan are dealing with a horrific crime. Police say a mother killed two of her children and injured a third Thursday afternoon.
The mother of three is facing several charges after police say she locked herself in her home with her three children with the intent to kill them.
Court documents detail the events leading up to the murders, including the fact that the woman threatened and forced the father of the kids outside before attacking them.
Law enforcement arrived at a mobile home along the 1200 block of Frontier Trail in south Mandan around 5:45 pm. Inside were 22-year-old Kailey Erhart and her three children.
“A scene like that is something that nobody should ever have to see, and the way [the officers] came through in one of the most horrific times that they’ll probably experience in their life— I’m proud,” said Chief Jason Ziegler from the Mandan Police Department.
A court affidavit stated that the children had lacerations. They were taken to hospitals in Bismarck. The three-year-old and 5-month-old died. Police are not releasing the condition of the one-year-old child, but say the child underwent surgery.
In the affidavit, the father told investigators that Erhart had mentioned dying by suicide and killing the children. He also said he had plans to divorce her.
“I want to acknowledge this is an extreme, tragic and heartbreaking incident for the children involved, their families, our community and first responders who arrived on scene. Our thoughts are with everyone that were impacted by this tragic incident,” said Ziegler.
An initial appearance took place at the Morton County Courthouse on Friday, where the bond was set.
“The bond will be set at $3 million cash. The reason for that is the extreme violence in these alleged charges and the threat to the community, victims and children,” said District Judge Marina Spahr.
Erhart faces nine total charges, including two counts of murder, attempted murder and three counts of aggravated assault.
Also at that court hearing, the judge ordered Ehart to avoid contact with the surviving victims.
The woman has yet to enter a plea and will be back in court for her preliminary hearing on Oct. 6.
The Erhart family has a GoFundMe for the one-year-old who survived. You can find that here.
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