A Kansas teen has pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed his girlfriend, who was nearly nine months pregnant, back in May — though police say he confessed to the crime.
The baby survived the attack, but those close to the victim were pessimistic about her potential quality of life in the immediate aftermath.
The victim, 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby, died early in the morning of May 25 after police in Wichita, Kan., responded to a report of a shooting at her boyfriend’s father’s home, the Wichita Police Department said in a statement at the time.
Her boyfriend Matthew Criscenzo, 19, was arrested in connection with the incident, per police.
According to a probable cause affidavit, authorities responded to a shooting reported by Criscenzo’s father in his residence, where the couple occasionally stayed.
Criscenzo’s father, Thomas Criscenzo, allegedly told police that he heard the couple talking before he heard a “pop” outside his bedroom, according to the affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE.
Thomas emerged from the room to see Oglesby lying on the floor and Matthew allegedly whimpering something along the lines of “I killed my baby,” per the affidavit shared online by Law & Crime.
Matthew allegedly made several similar statements to police, claiming he had killed Oglesby and expressing shock at having done so, according to the affidavit.
During his interrogation and detention by authorities, Matthew allegedly made statements such as, “I can’t believe I shot her,” “she loved me and I killed her,” and “I just didn’t want her to go and thought she was going to leave me.”
According to the affidavit, he said Oglesby had “grabbed” his PS5 controller and told him she was leaving. He added that he “got all of her s— ready for her,” told her to “stop,” and then shot her, per the affidavit.
Oglesby died after being taken to the hospital, but medical personnel were able to successfully deliver her daughter, authorities said. The baby began having seizures and was intubated. She suffered “severe” brain trauma due to lack of oxygen, police said at the time.
A GoFundMe set up immediately after Oglesby’s killing claimed that doctors believed the baby — named Zy’nia — may not survive or “have any quality of life.” The status of the child’s health as of September was not immediately clear.
“Naomi was a beautiful young soul who was taken too soon,” read part of the fundraiser.
“She was dancing, she was laughing, she was making everyone feel welcome,” her friend told KWCH. “There were late nights when I didn’t have anyone to talk to, but Naomi was there.”
Sedgwick County Sheriff
Upon his arrest in May, Matthew was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Oglesby’s killing, per police.
On Thursday, Sept. 11, he entered a plea of not guilty, according to KAKE and Hays Post, which cited the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.