Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini announced the indictment of a Medford woman for allegedly murdering her twin two-year-old daughters, Jasmine and Jaida Campbell, in Montauk on June 27.

 

Tenia Campbell, 24, of Medford, is charged with two counts of Murder in the First Degree, an A felony, and two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, an A felony.

 

“This is an extremely tragic case,” District Attorney Sini said. “Especially as a parent, the alleged actions of this defendant are incomprehensible. While nothing can bring those girls back, we will seek justice on their behalf.”

 

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on June 27, police received a 911 call from Campbell’s mother stating that the defendant was threatening to kill herself and her two-year-old twin daughters. Following the call, the Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Police, Suffolk County Park Rangers, Southampton Town Police and East Hampton Town Police began a county-wide search for Campbell.

 

At approximately 4:05 p.m., East Hampton Town Police officers located Campbell and her two daughters in a vehicle at the entrance of the Montauk County Park Third House Nature Center, located at 1929 Montauk Highway. Campbell allegedly stated to police that she had killed the children.

 

The officers took Campbell into custody and attempted life-saving efforts on her two children. The children were taken by Montauk Ambulance to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

 

An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner on the two victims determined the cause of death to be homicidal violence consistent with manual asphyxia.

 

Campbell was arraigned on the indictment today in front of Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro and was remanded without bail. She is due back in court on August 7.

 

If convicted, Campbell faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Francis X. Schroeder, of the Homicide Bureau.

 

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.