In June, Lakewood, New Jersey, mother Naomi Elkins was arrested and charged with killing her two children, ages 1 and 3. Elkins reportedly stabbed the youngest child with a serrated kitchen knife before drowning both of her daughters in separate bathtubs.

Elkins claims she killed her children for “religious purposes.” According to her account, she began having “disturbing thoughts” about her children in June after her husband left on a business trip to Virginia. Elkins told investigators that she spent the whole night praying about it, but when she still had disturbing thoughts the next day, she decided she had to kill her children. Afterward, the New Jersey mother says she realized she'd done something wrong and called the authorities. Both girls were declared dead that evening.

Criminal charges for child endangerment can have tremendously determinantal impacts on your life. If you've been accused of a crime against a child, we want to hear from you. Call the Lento Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686 or contact us online, and let the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team help defend your rights during this critical process.

New Jersey Prosecutors Aggressively Pursue Child Endangerment Crimes

New Jersey takes child harm very seriously. Child endangerment laws protect children from abuse, neglect, and other dangerous treatment by attaching severe criminal charges for these acts.

In New Jersey, these crimes are known as “endangering the welfare of a child,” attaching specific punishments for any behavior that harms, abuses, or neglects a child. For example, this includes:

• Failing to provide adequate food, clothes, shelter, medicine, or education.
• Using excessive physical restraint.
• Failing to supervise.
• Putting a child at substantial risk of death or injury.
• Engaging in indecent, immoral, or unlawful acts in front of the child.
• Seriously injuring a child.
• Sexually abusing a child.

In New Jersey, anyone can report child abuse, and even without a conviction, these claims can have a devastating impact on your life. Because of this, you must contact an attorney immediately if you've been accused.

An Experienced Attorney Can Help You Contest These Charges

Children are considered “vulnerable victims,” and New Jersey authorities will aggressively prosecute any crimes against them. An experienced attorney can make sure your rights aren't trampled in the process and offer critical legal services, including:

1. Knowledge of New Jersey criminal defense and child endangerment laws.
2. A keen eye for evidence, inconsistencies, and rights violations.
3. Experience with conducting witness interviews and presenting expert witness testimony.
4. A solid repertoire of defense strategies to draw from, such as lack of intent, psychiatric impairment, or lack of evidence.
5. Familiarity with negotiation tactics and finding the best possible outcome for your situation.

Child abuse and endangerment charges can result in serious criminal consequences. To protect your rights, you need an attorney who understands the gravity of these crimes and the know-how to navigate them.

Have You Been Charged With a Crime Against a Child?

Being charged with crimes against children can have devastating long-term consequences for your life. If you've been charged with harming a child, we want to hear from you. Call the Lento Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686 or contact us online, and let the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team help defend your rights during this critical criminal process.