Naomi Elkins Found Not Guilty Insanity

Naomi Elkins, a 27-year-old mother from United States — Lakewood Township, New Jersey, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the drowning deaths of her two daughters, ages 1 and 3, on June 25, 2024. Naomi Elkins admitted to police that she killed her children for "religious reasons," believing she was destroying "all the evil in the world." Psychologist Gianni Pirelli testified that Naomi Elkins was "undoubtedly psychotic" and suffered from postpartum psychosis, believing she or her husband was the Messiah. Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan ruled that while Naomi Elkins was responsible for the deaths, she was not guilty due to insanity. Naomi Elkins has been ordered to be committed to a secure psychiatric hospital for two lifetimes, totaling 150 years. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer's office did not dispute the insanity finding. Defense attorney Mitchell Ansell stated that Naomi Elkins' mental condition will be regularly assessed, and she will remain institutionalized unless deemed no longer a threat.