Teen Accused of Killing Pregnant Girlfriend, Baby Delivered with ‘Severe’ Brain Injury

A Kansas teenager has pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed his girlfriend, who was almost nine months pregnant, back in May — even though police say he admitted to the crime.

The baby survived the attack, but people close to the victim were worried about her chances of a good quality of life after the incident.

The victim, 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby, died early on May 25 after police in Wichita, Kansas, responded to a report of a shooting at her boyfriend’s father’s house, the Wichita Police Department said at the time.

Her boyfriend, Matthew Criscenzo, 19, was arrested in connection with the shooting, according to police.

A probable cause affidavit says authorities went to the home after Criscenzo’s father reported the shooting. The couple sometimes stayed there.

Criscenzo’s father, Thomas Criscenzo, reportedly told police he heard the couple talking before hearing a “pop” outside his bedroom, the affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE said.

Thomas then found Oglesby on the floor and heard Matthew allegedly saying things like “I killed my baby,” according to the affidavit shared online by Law & Crime.

Matthew reportedly repeated similar statements to police, saying he had killed Oglesby and was shocked that he did it. During questioning, he allegedly said things like, “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.”

The affidavit says he claimed Oglesby had “grabbed” his PS5 controller and told him she was leaving. He said he “got all of her s— ready for her,” told her to “stop,” and then shot her.

Oglesby died after being taken to the hospital, but medical staff were able to deliver her daughter safely. The baby started having seizures and needed a breathing tube. Police said she had “severe” brain trauma because she didn’t get enough oxygen.

A GoFundMe set up after Oglesby’s death said doctors feared the baby, named Zy’nia, might not survive or “have any quality of life.” Her health as of September was not immediately clear.

“Naomi was a beautiful young soul who was taken too soon,” the fundraiser said.

“She was dancing, she was laughing, she was making everyone feel welcome,” a friend told KWCH. “There were late nights when I didn’t have anyone to talk to, but Naomi was there.”

When he was arrested in May, Matthew was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Oglesby’s death, according to police.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, he pleaded not guilty, KAKE and Hays Post reported, citing the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.