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Nicole Virzi is sentenced to 35 to 80 years in prison for killing her best friend's infant son
Virzi admitted killing a 6-week-old and injuring his twin brother while babysitting, and she must serve the full 35-year minimum before parole.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, talk to a lawyer licensed where you live.
The sentence
Nicole Virzi was sentenced to 35 to 80 years in prison [1]. She admitted killing her best friend's 6-week-old son and injuring his twin brother while babysitting in Pennsylvania, prosecutors said [1].
Virzi must serve the full 35-year minimum before she is eligible for parole, according to attorney Phil DiLucente [2]. She had been charged with capital murder, with the possibility of the death penalty, before opting to plead guilty [2].
What happened in Pittsburgh
Virzi was a close friend of the victim's mother, Savannah Roberts, and was visiting Pittsburgh in 2024 to help with the newborn twins [2]. The twins were named Leon and Ari Katz [1].
In June 2024, the twins' parents, Roberts and Ethan Katz, took Ari to the hospital after discovering wounds on his body [2]. When they did, Virzi offered to watch Leon [1].
Leon was rushed to a nearby children's hospital, where he was pronounced dead [2].
What investigators found
An autopsy found Leon died from blunt force trauma to the head, and investigators concluded the injuries could not have resulted from a bouncer fall [1]. His death was ruled a homicide [2]. Scans found a severe skull fracture to the left side of his head along with multiple brain bleeds, according to Virzi's arrest report [3].
Investigators quickly determined the severity of Leon's injuries could not have been caused by a fall from such a short height, and they took Virzi into custody [2]. Detectives also determined Virzi caused Ari's initial injuries [1]. A doctor determined the injuries to both boys were consistent with child abuse [3].
Virzi told investigators she had an uncontrollable compulsion to harm kids [1].
Why prosecutors offered the plea
The district attorney's office said the plea agreement was reached after ongoing consultation with the family and consideration of community protection [2]. Prosecutors said Virzi used her trusted relationship with the Roberts/Katz family to place herself in a position to commit her acts [2].
What Roberts told the judge
Roberts wrote to Judge Jill E. Rangos that Virzi's betrayal shattered her trust and that she could never have imagined a best friend capable of such cruelty [1]. She said her self-confidence is forever shattered and she will never forgive herself for failing to protect her babies from Virzi [2].
Roberts said she has still never been able to leave Ari alone with a friend [2]. She said Ari is now doing well and has grown into a caring, loving friend [3].
What this means for readers
If you follow the case, the sentence is 35 to 80 years, and the full 35-year minimum must pass before Virzi is eligible for parole [1][2]. The plea came after Virzi, who had faced a capital murder charge with the possibility of the death penalty, chose to plead guilty [2].
Prosecutors said Virzi gained access to the twins through a trusted relationship with the family [2]. Roberts wrote that she has not been able to leave Ari alone with a friend [2].
Sources
- Woman who killed best friend’s newborn said she had a years-long compulsion to hurt children, reports say — firstalert4.com
- Woman pleads guilty to murdering best friend's 6-week-old son, said she had compulsion to harm kids — nbcnews.com
- San Diego woman pleads guilty in the killing of her best friend's baby — latimes.com
Written from the sources above and checked twice before publishing. How we work · Report an error
