New Jersey Daycare Worker Allegedly Drowns Her Two Children, Said She Did It for 'Religious Purposes'

Last month in New Jersey, Naomi Elkins, 27, allegedly began experiencing deeply troubling thoughts.

These thoughts started after her husband left for an out-of-state business trip.

According to newly filed court documents, these thoughts eventually led to a devastating double homicide.

On May 24, Naomi returned home from her job at Lakewood, N.J., daycare with her two young daughters. 

That evening, plagued by these dark thoughts, she spent the night praying, according to documents obtained by News 12 and reviewed by PEOPLE.

The disturbing thoughts resurfaced on June 25. 

Prosecutors say that on that day, after coming home from Giggle Daycare with her daughters, aged 1 and 3, Elkins allegedly believed she had to kill her children for religious reasons.

Authorities claim Elkins confessed to stabbing one of her daughters before placing her on the couch. 

She then ran a bath, put the girl in the tub, and held her underwater for what she estimated to be two to three minutes. 

Her other daughter, terrified, ran into another bathroom. 

Elkins allegedly followed her, ran another bath, and held her underwater for several minutes, counting to 50 multiple times to ensure they stayed submerged long enough.

Desperate for help, Naomi called Hatzolah Medical Services first in Brooklyn, N.Y., then in Lakewood, N.J. 

Tragically, both girls were pronounced dead from pediatric cardiac arrest within six minutes of each other. 

One of the girls had a deep stomach laceration and a superficial stab wound on her back, according to court documents.

During questioning, Elkins allegedly admitted that what she did was wrong. 

At the suggestion of a detective, she wrote a letter to her daughters in which she referenced killing them.

Elkins has been booked into Ocean County Jail, facing charges of two counts of murder, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, and one count of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Her defense attorney, Mitchell J. Ansell, issued a statement highlighting Elkins’ severe mental illness, which he believes played a significant role in the tragic events. 

The family is deeply saddened by what has occurred. 

They ask for the public’s prayers and support, emphasizing the complexities of mental health challenges and the importance of recognizing them in the pursuit of justice.

Neighbors from New Jersey’s Orthodox Jewish community told ABC7 that the family had only moved into their two-family home a few months earlier. 

Naomi Elkins is scheduled for a detention hearing on July 1 at 9 a.m. in Ocean County Superior Court. She has not yet entered a plea.

If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

For mental health support, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.

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