New York nanny accused of murdering two children pleaded not guilty

The New York nanny, Yoselyn Ortega, accused of murdering a 6-year-old girl and her 2-year-old baby brother pleaded not guilty Wednesday to first and second-degree murder. Upon returning home one night, the mother found both children dead in a bathtub in their New York home in late October.

When the children’s mother arrived home and saw Ortega standing just feet away from the tub, she slit her throat with the same knife she allegedly used to kill both children.

Ortega’s first court appearance took place Wednesday at Manhattan’s Weill Cornell Medical Center virtually. Ortega’s lawyer did all the talking and entered her plea for her. Ortega, who is a naturalized citizen for Dominican Republic, is expected to undergo psychological evaluation. The judge has ordered the Ortega be held without bail until she undergoes a psychological evaluation. Her lawyer declined to answer questions after the hearing.