By: Richard L. Smith
Lakewood mother, Naomi Elkins, 27, has been charged with the murder of her two young children, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
The charges, announced on June 25, 2024, include two counts of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and illegal possession of a weapon.
The grim discovery was made after officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a call at a residence on Shenandoah Drive around 4:50 p.m. regarding two children in cardiac arrest.
Upon arrival, officers found Hatzolah Medical Services already attempting to render lifesaving aid to the children, ages one and three.
Despite these efforts, both children were pronounced dead at the scene.
Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that the children were Elkins' and that the one-year-old had been stabbed and both children drowned.
Elkins was arrested at the scene without incident and is currently held at the Ocean County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing.
The ongoing investigation is a cooperative effort involving multiple agencies, including the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.
While these charges are severe, it is important to remember that they are merely accusations. Under the law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The community remains shocked by this heartbreaking incident as further details await disclosure in court.