A doctoral student in psychology at the University of California at San Diego is accused of killing the baby of one of her friends by smashing her skull on June 15.
It was while Nicole Virzi was babysitting her friend’s six-week-old baby Leon Katz in Pittsburgh that the child suffered a fractured skull and brain hemorrhage, according to local station WTAE.
The 29-year-old student had to watch little Leon while his mother went to the hospital with the toddler’s twin brother, who allegedly suffered injuries to his genitals, inflicted by Nicole Virzi.
“The injuries sustained by both (twins) are consistent with abuse, as they are injuries that are neither natural nor accidental,” a doctor told detectives, according to a criminal complaint reported Tuesday.
Attorney David Shrager, who represents Nicole Virzi, has denied the allegations.
“She is a loving person and a friend to these people and she would never harm anyone’s children,” he said. “She’s a Ph.D. She has been a family friend for a long time.”
Nicole Virzi has no criminal record. She was charged with homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. The student is being held until her next court appearance next Friday.
