Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised
Nicole Virzi, a 30-year-old PhD student in San Diego, California, could face the death penalty after she was accused of murdering her friend’s six-week-old baby while babysitting him and injuring his twin brother.
A report by The Mirror US on Monday (Aug 26) said that Virzi was charged with the murder of Leon Katz during a babysitting stint at his family’s Pittsburgh home in June.
The Alleghany District Attorney’s Office plans to seek capital punishment, the report said.
‘A trusted friend’
Virzi was considered a “trusted friend” by the infants’ parents, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts, and was looking after the children while taking a break from her academic pursuits.
The report said that Virzi was looking after Leon on June 15 when Ethan and Savannah took his twin brother Ari to the hospital for injuries that Virzi is now also accused of causing.
The prosecution accused the 30-year-old woman of torturing the baby to death. “The defendant committed the killing while in the perpetration of a felony. The offence was committed by means of torture,” the prosecution’s filing said.
It pointed out that the defendant had a significant history of felony convictions involving the use or threat of violence to the person.
A 911 call
Just before midnight on June 15, Virzi allegedly called 911 to say that Leon fell from a bassinet and hit his head. Several hours later, the baby was pronounced dead.
Citing investigators, a report by Law & Crime said that Virzi was the only one taking care of Leon at the time since the victim’s parents had taken Ari to the hospital after the babysitter discovered an injury to his genital area.
A doctor who examined the injuries of both of the twins determined that they were “consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental,” court documents said.
David Shrager, Virzi’s lawyer, expressed in July that his client was devastated by Leon’s death but maintained her innocence.
“If there was something that she would want to convey, it would just be the horrible pain that she’s feeling,” Shrager said.
(With inputs from agencies)