What began inside a quiet family home in North Dakota ended in a tragedy that left two young children dead, another hospitalized, and an entire community struggling to understand what happened.

Kailey Erhart, 22, is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities say her three young children were attacked inside a home in Mandan on August 6.

Two of the children — a 3-year-old girl and a 5-month-old girl — died from their injuries.

Their 1-year-old brother survived and underwent surgery at a local hospital. Authorities have not publicly released further details about his condition.

Police arrived to a horrifying scene

According to court documents, police were called to the residence after receiving reports that children had been seriously injured.

When officers arrived, investigators say they found Erhart covered in blood and holding a knife near her own throat.

She eventually surrendered the weapon and was taken into custody.

Inside the home, officers discovered the three children suffering from severe injuries. All three were rushed to the hospital, but two of them could not be saved.

The surviving child remains at the center of the family’s hopes as investigators continue piecing together what happened.

The father had reportedly feared things were getting worse

Court documents indicate that Erhart’s relationship with the children’s father had been deteriorating.

The couple was reportedly in the process of separating, and the father told investigators that Erhart had previously threatened him.

He also alleged that she had recently obtained a handgun and threatened him with it.

According to the affidavit, the father managed to take the firearm away and dismantle it so it could no longer be used.

But the situation did not end there.

Investigators say the children’s grandmother was also inside the home. According to the affidavit, Erhart chased the two adults outside with a knife before locking the door.

Then, investigators say, the father received a terrifying warning.

A warning captured on video

According to the affidavit, the father had recorded video during the confrontation.

Investigators say Erhart was seen holding one of the children while also carrying a firearm.

She allegedly told the father:

“Say goodbye to your children.”

What happened afterward resulted in the deaths of two children and serious injuries to their brother.

The heartbreaking sequence has left the children’s family facing a loss that no parent should ever have to endure.

Police chief calls it an “extreme, tragic and heartbreaking incident”

Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler described the case as one of the most devastating situations his officers could encounter.

He expressed sympathy for the children, their relatives, the wider community and the first responders who arrived at the home.

“A scene like that is something that nobody should ever have to see,” Ziegler said, praising the officers who responded.

The tragedy has also highlighted the emotional toll such cases can have on emergency personnel, who are often the first people forced to confront the aftermath of unimaginable events.

Nine criminal charges

Erhart was arrested and is facing nine criminal charges, including two counts of murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Her bond was set at $3 million in cash.

A judge has also ordered her to have no contact with surviving victims or members of the family.

Erhart has not entered a plea, and the allegations against her remain allegations unless proven in court.

According to investigators, Erhart later told police that she had put the children to bed and did not remember exactly what had happened.

She reportedly told investigators that she remembered having the knife in her hands when officers arrived.

A family left with an unimaginable loss

For the children’s family, the legal proceedings are only one part of what lies ahead.

Two little girls are gone, a young boy is recovering, and relatives are left trying to process a tragedy that unfolded inside their own home.

The case is scheduled to return to court on October 6 for a preliminary hearing.

As investigators continue working to establish exactly what happened, the surviving family members are left facing the painful reality of losing two children while hoping their youngest family member can recover.

A tragedy like this leaves questions that may take years to answer — but for one family, the loss is already permanent.