A woman has been accused of killing a boy under her care while babysitting him for his parents, police said.
Nicole Virzi, a fifth-year Ph.D. student from San Diego, has been accused of killing her friends' child while babysitting him, Fox reported. The woman has also been charged with physically abusing the murdered boy's sibling.
Virzi, who is friends with Ethan and Savannah Katz, was babysitting one of their 6-week-old twin boys, Leon Katz, on June 16, Fox reported. Leon Katz was reported dead the same day.
Virzi claimed that the boy fell from his bouncer chair while she was getting him a bottle, WTAE reported. Virzi claimed she immediately called 911 after seeing the boy in distress.
While Virzi was babysitting Leon Katz, his parents were busy getting his twin brother, Ari Katz, treatment at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for injuries sustained to his genital area after Virzi had pointed out the injuries to the parents, WTAE reported.
Doctors who examined Leon Katz located a skull fracture on the left side of the boy's head and numerous brain bleeds, WTAE reported.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WTAE, after looking at Ari Katz's injuries, a doctor informed detectives, "The injuries sustained by both (twins are) consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental."
Virzi has been charged with homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of child endangerment, Fox reported. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
"Our client maintains her innocence. Our client has no criminal history whatsoever," said Virzi's attorney, David Shrager, WTAE reported. The attorney added that his client is a friend of the couple and would never hurt their or anybody's child. Currently, she is being held in the Allegheny County jail.
"She's going to be 30 years old. She’s a Ph.D. student. She is long-term friends with the family in this situation. And as I've said, it doesn't show any criminal history in her background and we're anxious to get our day in court," Shrager said.
"Right now, she's charged with a general count of homicide, which, for the most part, bond is not available. Of course, we're going to be doing our due diligence on that end and see if we can make some changes there," Shrager said.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the Katz family by Isabella Kahhalé and Sam Plate. The message on the site confirms that the funds raised will help the parents take care of funeral expenses, medical bills, baby supplies, and relocation costs.
The message on GoFundMe included a tribute for the twin boy who died: "Leon will always be remembered as a happy, smiley, goofy baby boy. His untimely and tragic death has deeply impacted the Pittsburgh community, occurring on Ethan's first Father's Day. While financial support is crucial, Ethan, Savannah, and Ari are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love they have received. Your messages of support mean the world to them as they begin to heal from this unimaginable loss."
