A 35-year-old New Jersey woman, Priyatharsini Natarajan, was arrested after her two sons, ages 5 and 7, were found unresponsive at their Hillsborough Township home on Jan. 13. Emergency responders were unable to revive the children, who were later pronounced dead, and their identities have been withheld pending the Medical Examiner's positive identification. Natarajan faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon; a motive has not been released and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office or Hillsborough Township Police.
New Jersey Mother Arrested After Two Young Sons Found Dead at Home; Investigation Ongoing
Somerset County Prosecutor's OfficePriyatharsini Natarajan
A 35-year-old woman, Priyatharsini Natarajan, was arrested after her two young sons were found unresponsive inside the family home in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.
Somerset County prosecutors and Hillsborough Township Police announced in a news release on Jan. 14 that the arrest followed the evening discovery on Jan. 13. At approximately 6:45 p.m., the boys' father returned to the family's Shell Court residence, found his sons unresponsive and called 9-1-1. According to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, the father told the dispatcher that his wife had "done something to them."
Officers entered the home and located the two boys, ages 5 and 7, in a bedroom. Emergency responders performed life-saving measures at the scene, but both children were later pronounced dead. Their identities have been withheld pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Alexander Lewis/MyCentralJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK via ImagnBrookhaven Lofts community in Hillsborough
Charges and Detention
Natarajan was detained by Hillsborough Township officers and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. She was transported to the Somerset County Jail and is being held pending a detention hearing. It was not immediately known whether she has retained an attorney.
Community Response and Support
The two boys attended Sunnymead Elementary School. Hillsborough Public Schools Superintendent Mike Volpe described the situation as "unfathomable." The district said crisis response teams and additional counseling services are on site and will remain available for as long as needed. Officials urged families to speak plainly and directly with children and to limit exposure to social media to avoid distressing or inaccurate rumors.
Prosecutors said no motive has been released and investigators are continuing to gather evidence; they also indicated no further details will be provided at this time as the investigation remains active.
If You Have Information: Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at (908) 369-4323. Tips may be submitted anonymously through the STOPit app or by calling the Somerset County Tips Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).
Out of respect for the grieving family and the ongoing investigation, authorities have asked the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators to complete their work.
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