NJ Mother Found Not Guilty by Insanity

Naomi Elkins, a mother from Lakewood, New Jersey, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the drowning and stabbing deaths of her two young daughters in June 2024. Elkins believed her actions were necessary for religious reasons, reflecting her severe mental health struggles and delusions at the time of the incident. She had a documented history of mental illness and reportedly experienced a psychotic episode leading up to the event. Judge Guy P. Ryan ruled that while she was responsible for the deaths, her mental state exempted her from criminal culpability, and he ordered her commitment to a secure psychiatric facility for two lifetimes, one for each child. The case has sparked discussions about the importance of mental health support, particularly within the local Orthodox Jewish community where Elkins lived. Prosecutors agreed with the ruling, emphasizing the profound tragedy of the situation.