A Southern California woman visiting friends in Western Pennsylvania has been accused of killing a newborn baby and abusing the child’s twin brother. Nicole Elizabeth Virzi, 29, faces charges including homicide, multiple counts of aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to Allegheny County court records.
Incident and Arrest
The tragic events unfolded in Shadyside, a suburb of Pittsburgh, at the apartment where the children’s parents, Savannah Roberts and Ethan Katz, reside. On June 16, officers from the Pittsburgh Police Department arrested Virzi, who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at San Diego State University and UC San Diego. Jail records show that Virzi remains in custody without bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Pittsburgh’s Magisterial District Court on July 24.
According to a criminal complaint, Virzi called 911 on June 15 at around 11:15 p.m., reporting that a six-and-a-half-week-old baby, Leon Katz, had fallen from a bassinet and was “becoming unresponsive.” First responders rushed Leon to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:50 a.m. the following day.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed a disturbing sequence of events. Detectives learned that before Leon’s injury, his parents had taken his twin brother to the same hospital after Virzi informed them that the baby had injuries to his genitals. While the parents were at the hospital, Leon was left in Virzi’s care.
An investigator with the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner reported that Leon had suffered a severe skull fracture and multiple brain bleeds due to a fall from a bouncer. A doctor who examined both twins concluded that their injuries were the result of child abuse and not accidental. Dr. Arlel Goldschmidt of the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner conducted a preliminary autopsy, determining that Leon’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, and ruled it a homicide.
Community Support and Fundraiser
In the wake of this tragedy, the community has rallied to support the grieving family. An online fundraiser created by Isabella Kahhalé and Sam Plateto has raised over $66,000 in donations. The fundraiser page describes Virzi as a “trusted family friend” and aims to help the parents, Savannah and Ethan, cope with their loss and financial burdens.
“In addition to coping with the unbearable loss of their beloved son Leon, Savannah and Ethan are facing significant financial burdens,” the fundraiser’s creators wrote. “Funds raised will cover funeral expenses, medical bills resulting from injuries sustained by both Leon and Ari, essential baby supplies, and relocation costs as they navigate this difficult time.”
As the case moves forward, the family and community seek justice for Leon and healing for his twin brother. The support from friends and strangers alike highlights the community’s strength and compassion in the face of such a heartbreaking situation.