Colton Erhart “finally smiled at us, and it was the most beautiful thing we’ve ever seen,” a GoFundMe page reads
Credit: GoFundMe
NEED TO KNOW
- Police claim Kailey Erhart attacked her 1-year-old son, Colton Erhart, and his 5-month-old and 3-year-old siblings with a knife on Aug. 6
- Colton underwent surgery, is now showing signs of improvement and is expected to make a full recovery, according to a family GoFundMe update
- His siblings were killed in the alleged stabbing
A 1-year-old North Dakota boy is expected to make a full recovery after he and his two siblings were allegedly stabbed by their mother.
Police say Kailey Erhart, 22, attacked her son, Colton Erhart, and his two siblings with a knife on Aug. 6 in Mandan, N.D. Colton’s siblings, who were 5 months old and 3 years old, did not survive.
The toddler is expected to fully recover after undergoing surgery, his grandmother Melissa Erhart said, according to a GoFundMe page.
“He finally smiled at us, and it was the most beautiful thing we’ve ever seen. After everything we’ve been through, seeing that smile brought a wave of overwhelming emotion and relief,” the update reads. “We are so deeply grateful for the incredible support from our community.”
Credit: GoFundMe
Mandan Police were alerted to a report that a mother had stabbed her children on Aug. 6. Upon their arrival, Kailey was found covered in blood and holding a kitchen knife to her throat, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Valley News Live, KFYR and WDAY Radio.
Kailey allegedly chased the children’s father, Cameron, and grandmother with a knife before the fatal attacks, according to the affidavit. Kailey also allegedly pointed a gun at the children’s father and told him, “Say goodbye to your kids,” in a video recorded on his phone, Valley News Live reported, citing police. He reportedly took the gun away from her after a struggle.
Kailey then attacked her three young children, according to the affidavit from Mandan police. Once authorities arrived, they discovered the bodies of her three children, all of whom had cuts across their necks, inside the home. Colton was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery, while the 3-year-old and 5-month-old were both pronounced dead.
She reportedly made a comment about harming herself before dropping the knife and being taken into custody, according to the affidavit cited by Valley News Live. Kailey said she remembered having the knife in her hands when police arrived, but did not remember what occurred, according to the affidavit. She reportedly told investigators that she put the three children on the bed and believed their throats had been cut before she did so.
Credit: Burleigh County Detention Center
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Prior to the deadly attacks, Kailey and Cameron were in the process of separating, according to the affidavit cited by Valley News Live. He previously reported that she threatened to harm herself and the children, and Child Protective Services was alerted of those threats. Kailey was previously committed to a mental health facility within the prior 12 to 18 months. At the time of the attack, she was cleared to be with the children and was taking medication.
She was charged with 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 count of domestic violence, according to online jail records previously viewed by PEOPLE.
Kailey will return to court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 6. She remains in jail on a $3 million bond.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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