Authorities in northern New Jersey say 3-month-old twins were found dehydrated but responsive in an apartment with the body of their mother.

Plainfield police say the discovery was made Wednesday by officers responding to a call from a relative concerned that he hadn't heard from the woman in days.

Police say they found 39-year-old Alice Jackson dead on her bed.

An autopsy confirmed that Jackson died of natural causes. Authorities believe she had been dead for days when she was found.

Officials said the babies are rehydrated and able to feed again but are staying in the hospital for observation.

The discovery comes a week after police in nearby Union discovered a malnourished toddler chain-locked inside an apartment with his dead mother.