North Dakota Mother Allegedly Stabs Three Children — 1-Year-Old Expected To Recover, Two Siblings Dead

A 1-year-old boy is expected to make a full recovery after an alleged knife attack that left his two siblings dead in Mandan, North Dakota. Authorities say the children were attacked inside a home on Aug. 6. Two of the children — a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old — were pronounced dead at the scene; the 1-year-old, identified as Colton Erhart, was taken to a hospital, underwent surgery and is showing signs of improvement.

Family Update

Colton's grandmother, Melissa Erhart, posted an update on a GoFundMe page saying the toddler is recovering. "He finally smiled at us, and it was the most beautiful thing we've ever seen," the family wrote, expressing deep gratitude for community support as Colton continues to heal.

Police Account and Arrest

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by local news outlets, Mandan police responded to a report that a mother had stabbed her children. Officers say they found 22-year-old Kailey Erhart covered in blood and holding a kitchen knife to her throat. The affidavit alleges she had earlier chased the children’s father and the children’s grandmother with a knife and at one point pointed a gun at the father, reportedly telling him, "Say goodbye to your kids." The father is said to have disarmed her after a struggle.

When officers entered the home, they discovered all three children with cuts across their necks. The 3-year-old and 5-month-old were pronounced dead at the scene. Colton was transported to a local hospital for surgery and remains under medical care.

Statements and Investigation

The affidavit indicates Kailey Erhart made a remark suggesting self-harm before dropping the knife and being taken into custody. She reportedly told investigators she remembered holding the knife when police arrived but did not recall the events that followed. She also told police she placed the children on a bed and believed their throats had been cut prior to doing so, according to the affidavit. The investigation is ongoing.

Charges, Bond and Court

Court records list multiple charges against Kailey Erhart, including two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of terrorizing with a dangerous weapon, three counts of aggravated assault and one misdemeanor domestic violence charge. She is being held on a $3 million bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 6.

Background

Local reporting cited in the affidavit notes that Kailey and the children’s father were in the process of separating; the father had previously reported threats by Kailey to harm herself and the children, prompting notification to Child Protective Services. The affidavit further states Kailey had been committed to a mental health facility within the prior 12–18 months, but was cleared to be with the children and reportedly was taking prescribed medication at the time of the incident.

Support And Resources

The family and community have organized support for Colton’s recovery. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org 24/7. If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelp.org. All calls are confidential and toll-free.

Note: The suspect is accused of the crimes and the allegations have not been proven in court. Updates may follow as the investigation and legal proceedings continue.