Murderous Mother Deemed Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

A New Jersey mother who drowned her two toddlers in separate bathtubs was found not guilty by reason of insanity, highlighting the devastating consequences of untreated postpartum psychosis.

Quick Takes

Naomi Elkins, 27, drowned her 1 and 3-year-old daughters while suffering from severe postpartum psychosis
The mother believed she was eliminating “all the evil in the world” through her actions
Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan ordered her commitment to a psychiatric facility for two consecutive lifetimes (150 years)
Psychologists testified she was “undoubtedly psychotic” with delusions about being the Messiah or a descendant of Hitler
Prosecutors agreed with the insanity ruling, saying “It’s not even a close call”

Tragic Incident Driven by Religious Delusions

On June 25, 2024, Naomi Elkins drowned her two daughters, ages 1 and 3, in separate bathtubs at their Lakewood, New Jersey home. According to court documents, Elkins first stabbed her younger child before drowning her, then proceeded to drown her older daughter in another bathroom. The 27-year-old mother later called emergency services herself, but both children were pronounced dead at the scene. When police arrived, Elkins admitted to drowning her children, stating she had done so for “religious reasons” and counted to 50 multiple times to ensure they remained underwater long enough.

Naomi Elkins, 27, who drowned her 1- and 3-yr-old daughters to "cleanse evil," found not guilty by insanity. Faces 2 life terms in psych hospital. #NaomiElkins #InsanityVerdict #MentalHealth pic.twitter.com/5ZwsxkfWoC

— X Headlines (@XHeadlinec) April 7, 2025

During the initial call to authorities, Elkins stated, “I did something to my kids” and “They’re drowning.” These chilling statements were part of the evidence presented to the court as prosecutors built their case, which ultimately led to charges of two counts of murder and weapons possession. However, as the mental health evaluations proceeded, the severity of Elkins’ psychiatric condition became increasingly apparent to both the prosecution and the court.

Severe Mental Illness Documented

Psychologist Gianni Pirelli, who evaluated Elkins, testified that she was “undoubtedly psychotic” at the time of the killings. According to court records, Elkins had been suffering from mental illness since 2018, with her condition significantly worsening after the births of her children due to postpartum psychosis. This severe psychiatric disorder caused her to develop increasingly disturbing delusions about her identity and purpose.

The psychologist further testified that Elkins held grandiose religious delusions, believing either she or her husband was the Messiah. After her second pregnancy, her delusions took a darker turn as she began to believe she was “a descendant of Hitler or evil entities” and needed to repent. These conflicted beliefs were documented in a letter she wrote expressing her confused feelings toward God and her own actions.

Judicial Decision and Commitment Order

After reviewing the evidence and expert testimonies, Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan ruled that Elkins was not guilty by reason of insanity. The court acknowledged that her severe mental illness prevented her from understanding the nature and wrongfulness of her actions at the time of the killings. Instead of prison, the judge ordered Elkins to be committed to a secure psychiatric hospital for two lifetime terms, totaling 150 years, reflecting the gravity of taking two young lives.

Under the terms of the commitment, Elkins will undergo periodic mental health evaluations to determine if she continues to pose a danger to herself or others. The law requires that she remain institutionalized until medical professionals determine she is no longer a threat – a process that could potentially extend for the rest of her natural life. The case has drawn attention to the critical importance of recognizing and treating severe postpartum mental health conditions before they lead to tragedy.