Nicole Virzi, 31, a psychology doctoral student living in San Diego, traveled to Pennsylvania in 6/2024 to visit her best friend, who had recently given birth to twin sons.

On 15/6/2024, the baby's parents, Nicole's friends, asked her to care for Leon, one of the twins, while they took the other baby to the hospital for an examination.

That midnight, both her friend and 911 received calls from Nicole, reporting that baby Leon had fallen from his bassinet and hit his head.

Hours later, doctors pronounced Leon dead at the hospital.

Nicole Virzi. Photo: Heart Mind Journal

Nicole initially insisted Leon had only fallen from his bassinet. However, detectives characterized the injuries as "intentionally inflicted, not natural, and not accidental". The fall height was only 40 cm, and the injury mechanism was inconsistent with causing death.

Nicole later admitted to committing the crime because she was "very angry", having been "suddenly asked by her friend to babysit".

On monday, Nicole filed a motion requesting the court to withhold this statement from the jury, but the judge denied it.

Virzi faces charges of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She is scheduled to appear in court on 1/10. Prosecutors in the case have stated they will seek the death penalty, a rare sentence for women in this state.

Since 1900, Pennsylvania has executed two women. Of the state's 109 death row inmates awaiting execution, only one is a woman.

By Hai Thu (According to CNN, Law and Crime, ABC)