Indian-origin woman arrested in US for murder of her two young sons in New Jersey
An Indian-origin woman living in the United States now faces serious criminal charges. Authorities in New Jersey have arrested and charged her with the murder of her two young children.
Tragic discovery in Hillsborough Township
Priyatharsini Natarajan, a 35-year-old resident of Hillsborough Township, stands accused of killing her two sons. The tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday night when the boys were found dead inside the family home.
Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald provided details about the case in an official statement on Wednesday. He explained that law enforcement received a 911 call around 6:45 PM local time on January 13.
The caller, believed to be the children's father, reported finding his two sons unconscious after returning home from work. He told authorities that his wife had done something to them.
Police response and failed rescue efforts
Police officers quickly responded to the residence. They found both the caller and his wife, identified as Natarajan, at the scene.
Officers and medical personnel immediately attempted life-saving measures. Unfortunately, their efforts proved unsuccessful. Both children were pronounced dead at the home.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the two boys. They are waiting for positive identification from the Medical Examiner's Office. The children were aged five and seven years old.
Charges and ongoing investigation
Natarajan now faces serious legal consequences. She has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Additionally, she faces one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Hillsborough police officers arrested Natarajan and transported her to the Somerset County Jail. She remains in custody there while awaiting a detention hearing.
The cause of death remains under active investigation according to Prosecutor McDonald. Multiple agencies are working together on this case.
Detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department are leading the investigation. They are receiving support from 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 are also involved.
Next steps in the case
The Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office will conduct a postmortem examination. This procedure will serve two important purposes.
First, it will positively identify the young victims. Second, it will determine both the cause and manner of their deaths. The official statement confirmed these upcoming steps in the investigation.
This tragic case has shocked the local community in Hillsborough Township. It has also drawn attention from the broader Indian diaspora in the United States. Authorities continue to gather evidence as they build their case against the accused mother.
