At a Glance
- A New Jersey mother, Priyatharsini Natarajan, 35, was arrested for the deaths of her two young sons.
- The boys, ages 5 and 7, were found unconscious in their bedroom after their father returned from work.
- Authorities have charged her with two counts of first-degree murder and one weapons offense.
- Why it matters: The tragedy has shaken the local school community and prompted crisis counseling for students and staff.
A New Jersey mother has been charged with murder after her two young sons were found dead in their home, according to authorities.
The incident unfolded on the evening of January 13, when the children’s father returned to their Shell Court residence in Hillsborough Township after work. He called 911 at approximately 6:45 p.m., reporting that he had discovered the boys unconscious and that his wife had “done something to them,” according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
The Discovery and Arrest
Police responded to the scene and found the two boys, ages 5 and 7, in a bedroom. Emergency medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the children were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their identities were withheld pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Priyatharsini Natarajan, 35, was detained at the scene and later charged with:
- Two counts of first-degree murder
- One count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
She is currently being held at the Somerset County Jail awaiting a detention hearing. It is unclear whether she has retained legal representation.
Community Reaction
The two boys were students at Sunnymead Elementary School, according to a report from ABC New York. Mike Volpe, superintendent of Hillsborough Public Schools, described the situation as “unfathomable.”
In a statement, Volpe emphasized the school district’s response:
> “Our priority remains the emotional health of our students and staff. Crisis response teams and additional counseling services are on-site and will remain available for as long as they are needed. We are urging families to be simple and direct when speaking with their children, to limit social media exposure to avoid distressing rumors…”
According to News Of Losangeles, attempts to reach Volpe for further comment were unsuccessful.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not released a motive for the alleged crime. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Hillsborough Township Police Department are continuing their investigation and have stated that no additional details will be provided at this time.
The case has been described as a double homicide. The weapon involved in the incident has not been publicly identified.
How to Help
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact:
- Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office: (908) 231-7100
- Hillsborough Township Police Department: (908) 369-4323
- Anonymous tips can be submitted via the STOPit app
- Somerset County Tips Line: 1-888-577-TIPS (8477)
The community is urged to support one another during this difficult time, especially the students and staff at Sunnymead Elementary School who knew the young victims.
