North Dakota Mom Accused of Killing Her Two Young Children Had Chilling Words for Their Father on Video Moments Before

A 22-year-old North Dakota mother is accused of killing two of her young children and seriously injuring another, but newly released video has revealed a disturbing detail from moments before the tragedy. She allegedly pointed a gun at their father and told him something he would never forget.

Kailey Erhart, 22, is facing multiple charges following the August 6 incident at a home on South Frontier Trail in Mandan, North Dakota.

According to the New York Post, Erhart is accused of killing her 5-month-old and 3-year-old children and seriously injuring her 1-year-old, who survived.

The Family Was Already Falling Apart

The children's father, Cameron, was at the home as the couple was separating and planning to divorce. Court documents cited by KFYR state that Cameron had previously told investigators Erhart had threatened to harm herself, him, and the children.

The situation escalated when Erhart allegedly threatened Cameron with a recently purchased handgun.

Cameron Managed to Take the Gun From Her

According to the affidavit, Cameron was able to wrestle the pistol away from Erhart during a physical struggle. He reportedly disassembled the gun and scattered its pieces throughout the house. The children's grandmother was also at the home during the confrontation.

She later told investigators that Erhart chased her and Cameron out of the house with a knife before locking the door. But before they left, investigators say a cellphone video captured a disturbing exchange between Erhart and Cameron.

Then She Turned to Her Husband and Said Four Chilling Words

According to the New York Post’s report, the video, which investigators recovered from Cameron's cellphone, allegedly shows Erhart holding one of the children while holding a pistol near her hip. She then turned toward Cameron and, according to the affidavit, said:

"Say goodbye to your kids."

The words are significant because the video was allegedly recorded shortly before the children were seriously harmed. After the confrontation, Cameron called 911. According to Law&Crime, dispatchers initially received information that a mother had locked herself inside the home with her three children and was threatening to harm them.

Police Arrived at the Home

Officers arrived at the Mandan home shortly before 6 p.m. on August 6. When they entered, police found Erhart holding a kitchen knife and threatening to harm herself, according to court documents.

She eventually dropped the knife and was taken into custody. Officers then found the three children in a bedroom, where they had suffered serious injuries.

The 5-month-old was pronounced dead at a Bismarck hospital that night. The 3-year-old later died from the injuries, while the 1-year-old survived after undergoing surgery, Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler said during a news conference.

Ziegler acknowledged the impact the incident had on the responding officers and the wider community. "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," Ziegler said, according to a report by Fox News.

He added, "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."

Erhart's Account Was Unclear

After being read her Miranda rights, Erhart allegedly told investigators that she believed the children had been injured before she placed them on the bed. She reportedly remembered having the knife in her hands when police arrived but said she did not clearly remember what had happened earlier that evening.

The affidavit also states that Erhart had previously been committed to a mental health facility within the previous 12 to 18 months and had been placed on medication after concerns about threats toward Cameron and the children. She had nevertheless been cleared to be around the children at the time of the August 6 incident, according to the affidavit.

A 3 Million Dollar Bond Was Set

Erhart faces nine charges, including two counts of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and terrorizing with a dangerous weapon, according to authorities.

At her initial court appearance on August 7, a judge set her bond at $3 million cash. District Judge Marina Spahr said the amount reflected "the extreme violence in these alleged charges and the threat to the community, victims and children."

A no-contact order was also issued barring Erhart from contacting the surviving victims. She has not entered a plea and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on October 6.

The Family Is Raising Money for the Children

As the criminal case moves forward, the family is also dealing with the financial consequences of the tragedy. A GoFundMe fundraiser created by Melissa Erhart says donations will help cover funeral expenses for the two children who died, as well as medical care, therapy, housing and other costs for the surviving child.

Melissa wrote that her son Cameron is "a father trying to survive something no parent should ever have to face." She also wrote, "I lost two precious souls in a devastating tragedy after they were murdered by their mother, and the pain is more than I can put into words."

"Every day, we are carrying unimaginable grief while also trying to stay strong for his surviving child, who is receiving ongoing medical care and facing challenges no child should ever have to endure," the fundraiser added.

As of the time of this report, the fundraiser has garnered $31,601 toward its $35,000 goal, reaching 91% of the target.

If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, confidential support is available 24/7. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.