Young New Jersey Mother Charged with Murder in Drowning Deaths of Her Two Daughters
A young New Jersey mother has been charged with murder in connection with the drowning deaths of her two toddler daughters, officials announced.
Naomi Elkins, 27, was arrested on Tuesday, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officers responded to a report of two children in cardiac arrest at a Lakewood residence around 4:50 p.m. Upon arrival, police found Hatzolah Medical Services — a Jewish volunteer ambulance program — performing lifesaving measures on two girls, ages 1 and 3.
Both children were later pronounced dead at the scene, the prosecutor's office stated. An investigation determined that the 1-year-old had been stabbed and both girls had been drowned.
Elkins was taken into custody at the scene "without incident," authorities said. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is being held without bail on two counts of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Jail records indicate that Elkins is married and has a master’s degree.
It is unclear when Elkins will appear in court. On Tuesday night, crime scene tape surrounded the home where the girls were found, reported the Asbury Park Press. Investigators were seen coming and going from the residence in the aftermath of the incident.
