New Jersey mother charged with murder after the stabbing, drowning of her 2 children

A 27-year-old mother in Lakewood, New Jersey has been accused of murdering her two small children, stabbing and drowning them.

Naomi Elkins was charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

At 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, Lakewood police responded to a report of two children in cardiac arrest at a local residence, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

There, they found Hatzolah Medical Services on the scene, attempting to save the lives of the two children, ages 1 and 3. But their efforts fell short, and both children were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Asbury Park Press, part of USA TODAY Network.

Police investigated and concluded the 1-year-old child had been stabbed and both children were drowned, the prosecutor's office said. They concluded Elkins had murdered both her children and took her into custody without incident. She was taken to Ocean County Jail and will remain there until a detention hearing.

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Law enforcement had a heavy presence at the Lakewood residence

Billhimer credited the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office for their work at the scene.

Multiple officers were spotted Tuesday night at the home and crime scene tape could be seen along the entire corner.

Investigators could be seen coming and going through a rear side door, facing the intersection. They were seen removing a number of boxes and bags from the home and packing them into a Sheriff's Office vehicle.

The residence is in a neighborhood with larger houses, which appear to be home to families with children. Toys and bikes can be seen scattered across many lawns in the development.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.