New Jersey Community Grieves After Two Elementary School Boys Found Dead; Mother Charged
Police say two boys were found dead in their Hillsborough Township home, shocking a quiet New Jersey suburb. The 5- and 7-year-old Sunnymead Elementary School students were located by their father on Tuesday night after work.
Police said the father contacted 911 after finding his boys dead. A bedroom at the family’s Shell Court residence was where officers found the boys around 6:45 p.m. Emergency responders reported both kids dead.
Police then said that the toddlers appeared strangled. Police found many ligatures during a judge-approved home search. Police uncovered a handwritten note to the children’s father in which the mother threatened to murder herself and the children. The killings’ motives are unknown.
Tuesday night, the children’s mother Priyatharsini Natarajan was arrested. She faces two first-degree murder charges and one firearms charge, according to court filings. She remained in Somerset County jail on Wednesday during the inquiry.
An affidavit states that the mother told her husband she killed the children before police arrived. Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said the medical examiner was identifying the victims before releasing information.
Many people beyond the family were affected by the event. Hillsborough education officials confirmed the boys’ Sunnymead Elementary enrollment. On Wednesday, crisis response teams and school counselors helped kids, staff, and families cope with the tragic tragedy.
Schools Superintendent Mike Volpe wrote that the district could not comprehend the tragedy. He advised families to talk to their children honestly and simply and not promote disinformation that could make them feel awful, especially on social media, because student and staff mental health is most vital.
Many Shell Court residents were astonished and didn’t believe it when police action resumed the next day. Others claimed the family looked normal and well-liked, and there was no evidence of trouble. Local parents agreed because their children played outside and went to school like others.
Residents said the area was quiet and family-friendly, making the event even more strange. Many claimed the incident has shook the hamlet, with parents holding their children closer and neighbors aiding.
Authorities haven’t provided more specifics and say the inquiry is ongoing. As court proceedings progress, officials will provide more information.
After the deaths of two young people in Hillsborough, school leaders and city officials ask for kindness, patience, and support for those affected, especially the children trying to understand what no child should ever go through.
Sources:
Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office
Hillsborough Township Police Department
Hillsborough Township School District
