Post by : Meena Ariff

US authorities have arrested a 35-year-old Indian-origin woman in the state of New Jersey after charging her with the murder of her two young children in a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the local community.

The accused, identified as Priyatharsini Natarajan, is a resident of Hillsborough Township in Somerset County. According to investigators, the incident came to light on the evening of January 13, when emergency services received a distress call from a man believed to be the children’s father.

Officials said that at around 6:45 pm, the man contacted 911 shortly after returning home from work. During the call, he reported that he had found his two sons, aged five and seven, unconscious inside the family residence. He further told the dispatcher that he believed his wife was responsible for what had happened to the children.

Police officers rushed to the home and found the caller and Natarajan at the scene. Upon entering the residence, officers located the two children inside a bedroom. Both boys were unresponsive.

Emergency medical personnel immediately attempted life-saving measures, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The children were pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald confirmed that investigators believe Natarajan caused the deaths of her two children. However, authorities have not yet disclosed the exact method or circumstances surrounding the killings.

The identities of the two children have also not been made public. Officials said their names will be released only after positive identification is completed by the Medical Examiner’s Office, following standard legal and procedural requirements.

Natarajan was taken into custody by officers from the Hillsborough Township Police Department. She has been formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder, along with one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Prosecutors have not yet revealed details about the alleged weapon involved in the case.

Following her arrest, Natarajan was transported to the Somerset County Jail, where she remains in custody. She is expected to appear for a detention hearing, during which a judge will decide whether she will be held without bail while awaiting trial.

The investigation is being carried out jointly by multiple law enforcement agencies. These include detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and medical investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

Authorities have secured the home and collected evidence as part of an ongoing forensic examination. A postmortem examination has been scheduled and will be conducted by the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. This examination will officially confirm the identities of the children and determine the cause and manner of death, which are critical to the criminal case.

Prosecutor McDonald emphasized that the investigation is active and ongoing. He said further details will be shared only when appropriate, as investigators continue to gather evidence and interview individuals connected to the family.

The case has raised serious concerns and drawn widespread attention due to the young age of the victims and the nature of the allegations. Local authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the legal process moves forward.

No information has yet been released about possible motives, mental health considerations, or prior involvement of child protection services. These aspects, officials said, will be examined thoroughly as part of the investigation.

If convicted, Natarajan could face life imprisonment under New Jersey law. The case is expected to proceed through the court system in the coming weeks as prosecutors prepare formal arguments and evidence for trial.

Law enforcement officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring a fair and thorough investigation, while also respecting the privacy of those affected by the tragedy.

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