Medford mom charged in murder of twin 2-year-old girls

Tenia Campbell, 24, was sobbing as she was led into court to face a judge on murder charges.

News 12 Staff

Jun 28, 2019, 9:54 AM

Updated 1,784 days ago

Share:

A Medford mom accused of killing her twin 2-year-old daughters was ordered held without bail Friday after her arraignment in East Hampton Town Court.
According to investigators, Tenia Campbell, 24, was threatening to kill both herself and her twins, Jasmine and Jaida, Thursday afternoon.
A three-way phone call then ensued that lasted 12 minutes between police, Tenia, and Tenia's mother. During that time, police say the suspect refused to tell them where she was and claimed the girls were already dead.
An Amber Alert was issued, and police say they used cellphone GPS to find Campbell near a nature center in Montauk.
The girls were found in their car seats around 4 p.m. Police say officers at the scene tried to perform life-saving first aid on the girls. They were also rushed to a hospital, but could not be saved.
According to Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart, Campbell parked her car in the entrance to the park, walked to Montauk Highway and “started screaming at responding officers to shoot her.”
“During this chaotic time, officers took her safely into custody and located the girls in their vehicle. Both were in cardiac arrest,” says Hart.
Police have not yet said how exactly the girls died. According to court documents, Campbell told her mother that she killed her daughters with her bare hands.
The court documents also say Campbell has a history of mental illness and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager.
VIDEO: Officials give update on arrest of Suffolk mom accused of killing twins


More from News 12
0:31
Police: 20-year-old Brooklyn driver dead following crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

Police: 20-year-old Brooklyn driver dead following crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

2:20
Cloudy skies, spotty showers and gusty winds for today

Cloudy skies, spotty showers and gusty winds for today

1:52
Suffolk police: 17 people arrested in one week during Operation Smoke Out

Suffolk police: 17 people arrested in one week during Operation Smoke Out

0:23
2 men arrested for selling tobacco products to minors in Levittown

2 men arrested for selling tobacco products to minors in Levittown

0:30
Medford man convicted of transporting 3 people who crossed into U.S. illegally

Medford man convicted of transporting 3 people who crossed into U.S. illegally

0:19
4 people wanted for stealing over $5,000 of merchandise from Macy's

4 people wanted for stealing over $5,000 of merchandise from Macy's

0:30
New screening can identify preeclampsia risk sooner in pregnancy

New screening can identify preeclampsia risk sooner in pregnancy

4:12
The East End: Explore the North Fork on 2 wheels via East End Bike Tours

The East End: Explore the North Fork on 2 wheels via East End Bike Tours

1:57
Get inspired with a visit to the Heckscher Museum of Arts

Get inspired with a visit to the Heckscher Museum of Arts

1:46
Prosecutors: Costco parking lot panhandling pusher has multiple felony, misdemeanor convictions

Prosecutors: Costco parking lot panhandling pusher has multiple felony, misdemeanor convictions

0:31
Crash on Merrick Road sends one car into restaurant storefront

Crash on Merrick Road sends one car into restaurant storefront

1:45
31 HS seniors from 7 LI schools honored for commitment to join armed forces

31 HS seniors from 7 LI schools honored for commitment to join armed forces

0:39
Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital launches new service to treat epilepsy

Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital launches new service to treat epilepsy

1:46
Elite athletes check out new cricket stadium in East Meadow ahead of 2024 Cricket World Cup

Elite athletes check out new cricket stadium in East Meadow ahead of 2024 Cricket World Cup

2:05
10 Long Island school districts receiving state grants to expand pre-K programs

10 Long Island school districts receiving state grants to expand pre-K programs

2:00
Residents voice concerns over new parking lot proposed for Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Residents voice concerns over new parking lot proposed for Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

1:53
Public hearing today on new 152-spot parking lot at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Public hearing today on new 152-spot parking lot at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

0:41
Gov. Hochul: Paid prenatal leave policy to go into effect in 2025

Gov. Hochul: Paid prenatal leave policy to go into effect in 2025

1:48
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Roasted Pork Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone Hero

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Roasted Pork Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone Hero

1:10
Nassau Community College Board of Trustees approves new budget

Nassau Community College Board of Trustees approves new budget