New Jersey mother arrested in deaths of 2 sons, ages 5 and 7

Eyewitness News

Thu, January 15, 2026 at 11:19 AM UTC

2 min read

Two young boys were found dead inside their New Jersey home and now their mother is under arrest.

Authorities say the children's father called 911 around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday after coming home from work and finding his two sons unconscious. He told dispatchers that his wife had done something to them.

When officers arrived, they found the father and his wife, 35-year-old Priyatharsini Natarajan, inside the Hillsborough home.

The two boys, ages 5 and 7, were discovered in a bedroom.

Emergency crews tried to save them, but it was too late. Both children were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names have not been released.

Investigators say Natarajan caused the deaths of her children earlier that day. She was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf during a virtual hearing on Wednesday.

She is due back in court on Jan. 20 for a detention hearing.

Officials say an autopsy will be performed to confirm the children's identities and determine how they died.

Hillsborough Superintendent Mike Volpe said the students attended Sunnymead Elementary School.

He said crisis response teams will be available on-site at the school for as long as they are needed.

"There are no words to adequately capture the weight of this tragedy, and our hearts are with the families and the entire Sunnymead community as they grieve," Volpe said.

----------* Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news* Send us a news tip* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

About Our Ads

Source