Family of slain NYC 12-year-old demands justice, calls for tougher crime laws
New York City crime policies are under renewed pressure following the death of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, who was killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx. His mother, Migdalia Martinez, and sister, Angelica Coriano, appeared on “Fox & Friends” to demand justice and criticize the suspect’s lengthy arrest history, with Martinez warning that repeat offenders appear to feel safer than ever.
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
A North Dakota mother is facing accusations that she fatally stabbed two of her young children in an attack police called “horrific,” saying the bloody scene left responding officers deeply shaken.
Authorities said 22-year-old Kailey Erhart killed her 5-month-old and 3-year-old children on Thursday after allegedly pointing a gun at her estranged husband and threatening to take her own life.
A third child, who is 1 year old, survived but was seriously wounded. Police said the child underwent surgery, though they have not provided an updated condition.
Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler said the scene was likely among the most traumatic his officers will ever encounter in the line of duty.
Kailey Erhart, 22, is accused of fatally stabbing her 5-month-old and 3-year-old children and injuring her 1-year-old, according to police. (Burleigh County Detention Center)
“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 during a press conference.
“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,” he added. “Our thoughts are with everyone that were impacted.”
The kids’ father, who intended to file for divorce, was at home with their children when police were alerted that Erhart was threatening to end her own life, KFYR reported.
Earlier that day, Erhart threatened her husband with a gun she had recently purchased, but he was able to disarm her during a physical struggle, take the gun apart and scatter the pieces. Erhart bit and scratched him during the struggle, according to the report.
Kailey Erhart faces nine charges, including two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault and terrorizing. (GoFundMe)
The children’s grandmother was at the home when the killings happened, telling police that Erhart chased her and the kids’ father out of the house with a knife before the alleged slayings.
Erhart faces nine charges, including two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault and terrorizing.
A judge set Erhart’s cash bond at $3 million, highlighting “the extreme violence in these alleged charges and the threat to the community, victims, and children,” according to KFYR.
The court also issued formal no-contact orders barring Erhart from contacting the surviving victims or family members.
The 1-year-old child survived the attack, but suffered serious injuries. (GoFundMe)
Erhart’s preliminary hearing and arraignment are set for October 6.
A GoFundMe created to support the children and their father has raised more than $25,000 as of Sunday night.
“He is a father trying to survive something no parent should ever have to face,” the fundraiser created by the man’s mother reads. “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.”
