A Sacramento, California, man who tried to kill his two sons by poisoning them with car exhaust fumes pleaded guilty on Monday and said that if given the chance, he’d try to kill his kids again.

People reports that Charles Lee Ewers, 39, put his two boys, ages 8 and 10, into a running car, parked inside of a garage on April 4, 2015, with the intent to make them die from carbon monoxide fumes. Ewers placed the end of a yellow hose into a small opening in the car window, then placed the other end of the hose into the vehicle’s exhaust pipe.

Ewers’ estranged wife contacted the police earlier that day when her sons failed to return home from visiting their father. When authorities arrived at Ewers’ home, they found both boys inside their father’s car with “bloodied heads and faces.” Ewers was inside the car as well, in the driver’s seat with an airsoft gun on his lap.

Later, during questioning, Ewers told detectives that he gave his sons Ambien, a prescription medication that helps promote sleep. He also said that when the boys didn’t fall asleep, he beat them both numerous times, striking them in their heads with a mallet until he knocked them out. He indicated that he was “in control” of the situation and if given a chance, he’d pick up where he left off.

“I am in control. I am not in a rage. I am in control and I am sad that it didn’t work out. If I could try again, I would.”

Ewers, who admitted he had planned the attack for several months in advance, is scheduled to be sentenced to 22 years to life in state prison. He sentencing date is June 6.

[Feature Photo: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department]