New jersey mom pleads not guilty after killing her two young sons

SOMERVILLE, N.J. – A Hillsborough mother accused of killing her two young sons appeared in court Tuesday morning, entering a not-guilty plea to two counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Priyatharsini Natarajan, 35, of Shell Court, stood before Somerset County Superior Court Judge Angela Borkowski at the Somerset County Courthouse. She spoke softly and briefly during the appearance, confirming her decision to remain detained pending trial and to be represented by a public defender.

Prosecutors allege that on the evening of January 13, Hillsborough police responded to an apartment on Shell Court after a man called 911 reporting that his wife had killed their children. Officers arrived to find Natarajan in what they described as “a hyper state.” Both boys, ages five and seven, were discovered inside the home and pronounced dead at the scene.

According to court documents, one child had a ligature mark on his neck consistent with strangulation, and signs of rigor mortis indicated he had been deceased for several hours. Investigators also recovered a handwritten note addressed to Natarajan’s husband outlining her intent to take the lives of the boys and herself.

The boys’ father told police that Natarajan had confessed to him prior to his discovering their bodies. Authorities have not released further details regarding a possible motive.

Hillsborough Township Committeeman Robert Britting said the case has left the community reeling. “The sudden loss of life for two young children has shaken our community. God bless them. Please say prayers for them,” Britting said. “Take a moment to hug the ones you love.”

A community vigil was held Saturday at the Hillsborough Reformed Church to honor the two boys. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Hillsborough Police Department continue to investigate, and anyone with information is urged to contact authorities or submit an anonymous tip through the STOPit app.

A Hillsborough mother pleaded not guilty to charges that she murdered her two young sons, a case that has left the community in mourning.

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