Mother Charged With Murder of Two Young Children in New Jersey

## Mother Charged With Murder of Two Young Children in New Jersey

### Sapo

Mother Charged With Murder of Two Young Children in New Jersey

A 27-year-old New Jersey mother, Naomi Elkins, has been arrested and charged with murdering her two young children by drowning them and stabbing one.

### Article

Mother Charged With Murder of Two Young Children in New Jersey

**Lakewood, New Jersey** - A mother in Lakewood, New Jersey, is facing murder charges after she allegedly drowned her two young children after stabbing one of them Tuesday afternoon.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday that 27-year-old Naomi Elkins faces two counts of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon in the death of her two children.

Mother Charged With Murder of Two Young Children in New Jersey

Officers with the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a home on Shenandoah Drive in Lakewood just before 5 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report that two children had a cardiac arrest.

When the officers arrived, they saw members of Hatzalah Medical Services providing lifesaving aid to a 1-year-old and 3-year-old.

Despite those efforts, both children were pronounced dead at the home.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined both victims were Elkins’ children.

The investigation revealed the 1-year-old child had been stabbed and both children were drowned, the prosecutor’s office said.

“Continuing investigation revealed that Elkins was responsible for the deaths of both of her children,” a release from the prosecutor’s office said.

Elkins was arrested without incident and taken to the Ocean County Jail, where she is being held without bond.

The motive for the killings is still under investigation.

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

On Thursday, June 28, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Elkins had been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The indictment alleges that Elkins stabbed her 1-year-old son, Mason, in the chest with a kitchen knife and then drowned him and his 3-year-old sister, Aliya, in a bathtub.

Elkins pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday and is scheduled to appear in court again on August 16.

* Elkins had been experiencing mental health issues in the months leading up to the killings.

* She had been seeing a therapist and was taking medication.

* Elkins had no prior criminal history.

* The children’s father was not living with Elkins at the time of the killings.

* He is devastated by the loss of his children.

This is a tragic story that highlights the importance of mental health awareness and support. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please reach out for help.

There are many resources available, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (1-800-950-6264).