Authorities say a mother stabbed her9-year-old son at their northern New Jersey home Saturday and thenslashed her own throat.

Detective John Casper says 37-year-old Elida Marroquin stabbed her son, Lesandro, after she became depressed over her lack of English skills. Police say Marroquin may have interpreted Lesandro's school permission slips as papers indicating her children were being removed from school.

Both mother and son were taken to a nearby hospital.

Police say Marroquin's 12-year-old daughter witnessed the stabbing and took her 2-year-old sister to safety at a neighbor's house.

Marroquin has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. She is undergoing psychiatric evaluation.