HUDSON, WI (WTAQ) - Bond was set at $2 million Thursday afternoon for Aaron Schaffhausen, on charges that he killed his three young daughters at his ex-wife’s home in River Falls.

The 34-year-old Schaffhausen remains in the St. Croix County jail in Hudson after prosecutors filed three charges of first-degree intentional homicide.

District Attorney Eric Johnson said all three girls – Amara, Sophie, and Cecilia – had their throats slit with a knife or some other sharp instrument.

Authorities said it happened Tuesday afternoon, after he surprised his ex-wife Jessica by asking to see the three youngsters – and she let him do it without supervision.

Afterward, prosecutors said he called Jessica and said, “You can come home now, because I killed the kids.” The mother then called 911. Officers said they detected an odor of gasoline – but they didn’t say anything about the attacks on the girls’ necks until the criminal complaint came out Thursday afternoon.

Prosecutors said there appeared to be a pool of blood on a carpet in one of the rooms – and Schaffhausen remained silent during his police interview after he was brought in.

He’s due back in court July 24th, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to order a trial.

Schaffhausen had lived in Minot North Dakota after he and Jessica were divorced in January.

The case has hit the River Falls area hard. Thursday, the city had counselors available at City Hall for anyone who wanted help coping.