Ultra-Orthodox New Jersey enclave rocked as cops say mom stabs, drowns her girls, ages 1 and 3, in bathtub
A New Jersey mother of two has been charged with murder after allegedly drowning both of her young daughters.
Naomi Elkins, 27, of Lakewood, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon and other offenses relating to the deaths of her two kids.
Officers had been called to an address on Shenandoah Drive in the New Jersey town, which is known for its large Orthodox Jewish population, to reports of two children in cardiac arrest.
Officers arrived to find the two children, aged one and three, being given lifesaving aid by Hatzolah Medical Services, a Jewish volunteer ambulance program.
The two were pronounced dead at the scene, with an investigation determining that the one-year-old was stabbed and that both children had been drowned by Elkins.
Naomi Elkins, 27, of Lakewood, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon and other offenses relating to the deaths of her two kids
Officials said that officers had been called to an address on Shenandoah Drive in the New Jersey town to reports of two children in cardiac arrest
In court on Wednesday afternoon, Elkins appeared before Judge Scott Basen who set a court date of July 1 for her first appearance
Sources told NBC10 that the children were drowned in the bathtub at the address.
In court on Wednesday afternoon, Elkins appeared before Judge Scott Basen who set a court date of July 1 for her first appearance.
During the short appearance, Elkins, who appeared virtually, only responded to remarks from Judge Basen when asked if she could hear him with one word answers.
Even when her lawyer Mitchell Ansell informed Elkins who would be at the prison to speak with her tomorrow morning she only nodded, before standing up and leaving.
Footage captured at the scene shows investigators coming and going and removing items from the home before packing them into a Sheriff's Office vehicle.
A children's tricycle and a swing set was also seen outside of the home where the children had been murdered.
Authorities said that Elkins was taken into custody 'without incident' at the scene and was taken to the Ocean County Jail.
According to jail records, Elkins is married and also has a masters degree. It remains unclear when she will appear in court.
Authorities said that Elkins was taken into custody 'without incident' at the scene and was taken to the Ocean County Jail
Sources told NBC10 that the children were drowned in the bathtub at the address, seen here
A mezuzah is pictured here at the front door of the home of Elkins on Wednesday
The shocking murders happened in a typically quiet Orthodox Jewish community, which is home to the world's largest yeshiva outside of Israel
The shocking murders happened in a typically quiet Orthodox Jewish community, which is home to the world's largest yeshiva outside of Israel.
The Beth Medrash Govoha is a educational facility which focuses on the study of the Torah.
According to a report by the Jewish News Syndicate in 2019, half of the residents are Orthodox Jews.
Mayor Raymond Coles told APP: 'It’s a horrible thing to know that something like that happened here.
'I always wait for the official information and stay out of the way. From what I know, it is the worst possible thing that can happen, anything involving children hurts and it makes it more powerful and sad.'
'[The Orthodox community] 'are all stick in shock and I do not want to insert myself.
'From the second they found out about it, the support networks kick in. They do not have to worry about people being supportive.'
