In a shocking case that has rocked the close-knit community of Lakewood, New Jersey, new details have emerged surrounding the deaths of two young children allegedly at the hands of their mother. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has left the community grappling with questions of mental health, religion, and the unthinkable act of infanticide.
Naomi Elkins, 27, stands accused of murdering her two daughters, aged one and three. According to police reports, Elkins claimed to have committed the acts "for religious reasons," a statement that has puzzled many given that Jewish law explicitly forbids such actions.
The accused's defense attorney, Mitchell Ansell, has brought attention to Elkins' mental state, describing her as having a "well-documented history of severe mental illness." Ansell emphasized the complexity of the case, noting the role that mental health challenges may have played in the tragic events.
Details of the incident, as reported by local media, paint a disturbing picture. Elkins allegedly stabbed her one-year-old daughter and held her underwater in a bathtub. When her three-year-old daughter entered the scene, Elkins reportedly submerged her in another bathtub.
The community of Lakewood, known for its large Orthodox Jewish population, has been left reeling.
As the legal process unfolds, many questions remain unanswered in a complex case where mental health, religious beliefs, and the criminal justice system will intersect.
The Elkins family has requested privacy and prayers during this difficult time, as they, along with the entire Lakewood community, attempt to come to terms with this devastating loss.