Tragic Incident in Lakewood, N.J.
A Lakewood, New Jersey, woman is under arrest following allegations of intentionally drowning her two young daughters. Naomi Elkins is currently facing charges for these horrific acts. Handed down were two counts of murder along with related weapons charges.
A Shocking Discovery
Late Tuesday evening, law enforcement officials arrived at Elkins’ Ocean County residence to find both her daughters, just aged 1 and 3, were deceased. The tragic scene led to a swift and thorough investigation by authorities.
Tracing the Grim Details
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer stated in a press release that both young girls died from drowning. Disturbingly, the younger child was also a victim of a stabbing. The grisly details emerged as investigators pieced together the somber events leading to their deaths.
Disturbing Revelation Following the Crime
The 27-year-old mother confessed to detectives that she had been plagued with troubling thoughts concerning her children for weeks. These feelings allegedly intensified after her husband departed on a business trip late in May. Following several days of prayer, Elkins acted on these devastating impulses leading to the death of her children.
The Unthinkable Act
According to Elkins, her initial act was to stab her youngest daughter and then drown her by holding her underwater for almost three minutes. As her older daughter entered the room, the unimaginable took place as she met the same tragic fate. Elkins was conscious of her actions, admitting to authorities she repeatedly counted to 50 to make sure she kept them underwater for an appropriate length of time.
A Call for Help?
Elkins claimed she systematically carried out these murders due to her belief in a religious mandate. However, she confessed to understanding the gravity of her actions retrospectively. She reached out to Hatzolah Medical Services following the incidents, but they were unsuccessful in their attempts to resuscitate the children upon arrival. By the time police reached the scene, the girls were declared deceased.
Mother Arrested
Following the futile rescue efforts by the medical team, authorities took Elkins into custody with no additional issues. From that point, she was taken to Ocean County Jail, where she remains detained without bail.
Lawyer Raises Mental Health Issue
Elkins’s attorney, Mitchell Ansell, issued a statement emphasizing the important role of his client’s mental health challenges in this tragic situation. He confessed that Elkins has a history of severe mental health issues, which he believes profoundly contributed to the disturbing incident. Ansell stated his respect for the serious charges but urged understanding for the complexity presented by mental health issues.
Background Check
Elkins, formerly an employee of a local daycare center – Giggles Daycare, is currently awaiting her future day in court. As the community struggles with this shocking loss, this tragic story serves as a heartbreaking dialogue about mental health and its role in recurring societal issues.