Mother To Stay In Jail Until Trial In Daughters' Slayings In Lakewood: Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Lakewood woman accused of killing her daughters in the family's home in June has agreed to remain in jail until her trial, according to a report.

Naomi Elkins, 27, agreed to stay in the Ocean County Jail during a detention hearing before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan on Monday, NJ.com reported.

Elkins was arrested June 25, accused of stabbing her 1-year-old daughter, then drowning the 1-year-old and her 3-year-old daughter, prosecutors have said. She later told investigators that "she believed that she needed to kill the children for religious purposes," according to the probable cause affidavit.

A relative of the family told The Lakewood Scoop that Elkins had suffered mental health issues for some time.

Her next court date is in October, the NJ.com report said.

Previous reporting:

• Lakewood Mom Believed She Had To Kill Daughters For Religious Reasons: Document
• Mother Drowned, Stabbed Her 2 Toddlers In Lakewood: Prosecutor