FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A Fayetteville mother is in jail, charged with trying to kill her three children.

Police say Ranita Harrell, 24, called a her mother saying she was going to burn her children to death.

When another relative arrived at the house, they say Harrell poured kerosene on the floor and tried to light it, but was unable because the relative stopped her.

Police say that Harrell then tried to get her pit bull to attack the relative, who shot and killed the dog.

Harrell is in jail on three counts of attempted first-degree murder.