Affidavit: Lakewood mom told police that she needed to kill her two children for 'religious purposes'
Naomi Elkins was accused of killing her two young children in Lakewood on June 25.
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There are shocking new details that were released regarding a Lakewood mother accused of killing her two young daughters earlier this week.
According to the affidavit obtained by News 12 New Jersey, Naomi Elkins told detectives she began having concerning thoughts on Monday and spent the night praying.
RELATED: Lakewood woman faces judge for allegedly drowning her 2 young children
Elkins went to work at Giggles Daycare in Lakewood the next day, bringing her kids with her as she always did. Upon returning home, Elkins told police she believed she needed to kill the children for religious purposes, according to the documents News 12 obtained.
In the affidavit, Elkins admitted to drowning both her daughters in the bathtub after stabbing one of them. She allegedly told the police she realized that she had done something wrong afterward and contacted medical services.
Authorities say the 1-year-old and 3-year-old were found unresponsive and unclothed. One daughter was stabbed in the stomach and back.
The owner of the residence says Elkins and her husband rented the home. Elkins’s husband was on a business trip at the time of the killings.
Elkins is facing murder charges and the unlawful possession of a weapon.
The Elkins family attorney says the 27-year-old has a well-documented history of severe mental illness which has played a major role in these devastating events.
"While we acknowledge the seriousness of the charges that she is facing and respect same, we also believe that it’s important to recognize the incredible complexities presented by mental health challenges,” attorney Mitchell J. Ansell wrote in a statement.
Elkins will appear in court again on Monday for a detention hearing.
