These are innocent faces.
Photos have been released for the first time of the tragic Pittsburgh twin babies, one of whom was allegedly murdered by a “trusted” babysitter last week. The bright, smiling faces of six-week-old Leon and Ali Katz emerge from a now-heartbreaking series of photos posted online.
Friends raising funds for Ethan Katz and his wife Savannah Roberts said it was an “unbearable loss” for the couple after Leon died on Father’s Day. The death was attributed to a family friend, Nicole Virge, a doctoral student from California, who is believed to be the daughter of a Manhattan cardiologist.
“Our beautiful and healthy 6-week-old baby boy, Leon Katz, tragically passed away under horrific circumstances on June 16, 2024,” friends wrote on a GoFundMe for the couple, which has already raised more than $50,000.
“Leon will always be remembered as a happy, smiling, tomboyish boy. His untimely and tragic death deeply affected the Pittsburgh community as it marked Ethan’s first Father’s Day and his parents’ first wedding anniversary.”
The couple left Leon in Virgi’s care. While rushing Ali to the hospital Authorities said Birge, 29, reported the incident after he found mysterious wounds on his genitals.
While the first-time parents were caring for Ali, Virgi claimed Leon fell out of his bouncer chair when she left to get a bottle. According to the Daily MailHe cited police and court records.
However, doctors determined the injuries were “not natural or accidental and are consistent with injuries inflicted as a result of child abuse.” According to WTAE.
“A trusted family friend has been arrested on suspicion of murder, child endangerment and aggravated assault for the crimes suffered by the boys.” According to GoFundMe.
Virge’s now-deleted LinkedIn profile listed her as a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the joint doctoral program in clinical psychology at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego.
Virge, who also faces charges for abusing Ali, is being held without bail in the Allegheny County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
She denies the charges.
The family is now facing a “huge financial burden”, friends of the couple wrote on a fundraising platform, adding that “the funds raised will help with funeral expenses, medical expenses for the injuries sustained by Leon and Ali, essential supplies for the baby, and relocation costs to get them through this difficult time.”
Virge is believed to be the daughter of Mount Sinai Hospital cardiologist Peter J. Virge. A man who answered the phone at the home of one of Nicole’s brothers and identified himself as the suspect’s father called the Post reporter “inappropriate” and “a terrible person” before hanging up, according to the report.
“Our client denies these allegations. She is a loving person and a friend to these people and would never harm anyone’s child, let alone their children,” Virge’s attorney, David Schrager, told WTAE in Pittsburgh.
“She’s almost 30 years old. She’s a doctoral student. In this case, she’s a longtime friend of the family. As I said, she has no criminal history on her record and we look forward to her day in court.”
Savannah Roberts is also a fifth-year doctoral student in Clinical Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh.
