Mother arrested after three children found drowned on beach

New York City woke up today with the news of a tragic discovery: three children were found unconscious at 4:40 a.m. on the beach at Coney Islands’s 35 West Street. Shortly after they were pronounced dead.

The children's mother was arrested and is being questioned by authorities, reported The New York Post. The woman, identified later as Erin Merdy, 30, was found walking in her wet clothes about two miles from where the children were found.

At a press conference, police revealed that the search for the woman had begun at 1:40 a.m. after a family member alerted police that the woman had said she would harm the children.

The victims were identified by authorities as 3-month-old Oliver, 4- year-old Liliana, and 7-year-old Zachary.

“Whether she had been in the rain or whether she had been in the water is all speculation at this point. She was wet, barefoot, and not communicating with officers," NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

Authorities said there were no previous reports of abuse or neglect on behalf of the mother.

A family member told the New York Post that there is "a history of mental illness in varying degrees" in the family.