Naomi Elkins, accused of killing her kids, faces psychiatric exam before detention hearing

TOMS RIVER - A detention hearing for the Lakewood woman accused of murdering her two toddlers was again postponed Monday, this time to allow for the defendant to be evaluated by a psychiatrist before the next scheduled hearing.

Naomi Elkins, 27, appeared virtually before Superior Court Judge Pamela M. Snyder at what was supposed to be a hearing to determine if she will remain in the Ocean County Jail without bail to await trial.

However, Elkins' attorney, Mitchell Ansell, asked Snyder to adjourn the hearing to July 29 to allow time for a psychiatrist to examine his client beforehand.

Ansell said he has hired a psychiatrist to examine Elkins at the jail, but the earliest the doctor can come is July 18.

The defense attorney said he wants to then allow time for the psychiatrist to prepare a report before the detention hearing.

Snyder granted the request and scheduled Elkins' detention hearing for July 29.

Elkins has been in jail since June 25, when she was arrested and charged with the murders of her two daughters, ages 1 and 3 .

Her first detention hearing was scheduled to take place a week ago , but Ansell at that time asked that it be rescheduled for Monday.

In addition to two counts of murder, Elkins is charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Police allege Elkins stabbed her 1-year-old daughter and drowned her in a bathtub in her Shanandoah Drive home on June 25, before drowning her 3-year-old daughter in another tub.

Elkins told police she prayed before killing her children "for religious reasons," upon returning home with the toddlers after working a shift at Giggl Daycare in Lakewood.

Lakewood murder suspect: 'Religious motive' claim sparks concern in Orthodox community

Ansell has said Elkins has "a well-documented history of severe mental illness , which has absolutely played a major role in these devastating events."

At the brief virtual proceeding today, Ansell also revealed that Elkins is hard of hearing and uses a hearing aid.

Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com .

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Naomi Elkins, accused of killing her kids, faces psychiatric exam before detention hearing