Medford mom charged in murder of twin 2-year-old girls

Tenia Campbell, 24, was sobbing as she was led into court to face a judge on murder charges.

News 12 Staff

Jun 28, 2019, 9:54 AM

Updated 1,757 days ago

Share:

A Medford mom accused of killing her twin 2-year-old daughters was ordered held without bail Friday after her arraignment in East Hampton Town Court.
According to investigators, Tenia Campbell, 24, was threatening to kill both herself and her twins, Jasmine and Jaida, Thursday afternoon.
A three-way phone call then ensued that lasted 12 minutes between police, Tenia, and Tenia's mother. During that time, police say the suspect refused to tell them where she was and claimed the girls were already dead.
An Amber Alert was issued, and police say they used cellphone GPS to find Campbell near a nature center in Montauk.
The girls were found in their car seats around 4 p.m. Police say officers at the scene tried to perform life-saving first aid on the girls. They were also rushed to a hospital, but could not be saved.
According to Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart, Campbell parked her car in the entrance to the park, walked to Montauk Highway and “started screaming at responding officers to shoot her.”
“During this chaotic time, officers took her safely into custody and located the girls in their vehicle. Both were in cardiac arrest,” says Hart.
Police have not yet said how exactly the girls died. According to court documents, Campbell told her mother that she killed her daughters with her bare hands.
The court documents also say Campbell has a history of mental illness and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager.
VIDEO: Officials give update on arrest of Suffolk mom accused of killing twins


More from News 12
0:22
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

1:55
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

0:36
NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

0:24
Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

2:32
Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

0:25
NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

2:19
Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12