A California woman accused of killing a six-week-old infant while babysitting in Pennsylvania could face the death penalty if convicted, according to prosecutors. Nicole Virzi, 30, has been charged with homicide, aggravated assault, and child endangerment in connection with the death of Leon Katz.
The infant was under her care on June 16 while his parents, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts, took his twin brother, Ari, to the hospital. Virzi is also accused of abusing Ari.
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During a court hearing, the Alleghany District Attorney’s Office announced its intention to seek the death penalty against Virzi, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Prosecutors filed notice that they would pursue capital punishment, citing allegations of torture in Leon’s death.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has previously stated that he will not sign any death warrants during his time in office despite the ongoing case.
Virzi claimed that Leon fell from his bouncer chair when she left him unattended for a brief moment to get a bottle. However, medical reports revealed that the injuries sustained by both twins were consistent with child abuse. Doctors determined the injuries were not accidental or natural, according to a criminal complaint.
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Leon’s death was ruled a homicide, with the medical examiner concluding that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. A CT scan revealed that Leon had suffered a severe skull fracture on the left side of his head and multiple brain bleeds.
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