Matthew Criscenzo has been sentenced to 74 years in prison for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Naomi Oglesby. The 19-year-old Kansas resident received this sentence after a plea deal, bringing a difficult end to a case that left many reeling. As reported by People, the events leading up to this point began back in May 2025, when the Wichita Police Department responded to a shooting at the home of the suspect’s father.
Naomi Oglesby was only 20 years old and was nine months pregnant at the time of the shooting. When authorities arrived at the residence where the couple occasionally stayed, they discovered Oglesby, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Medical personnel were able to perform an emergency delivery, bringing the baby, named Zy’nia, into the world under the most dire conditions imaginable.
The impact of this shooting on the newborn has been profound. According to police reports, the infant suffered severe brain trauma as a result of a lack of oxygen during the incident. Following her birth, she required intubation and experienced seizures. Updates regarding her condition have been grim, with reports indicating that she struggles significantly with basic functions like eating and breathing.
This is a horrible way to enter the world
Initially, Criscenzo had pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery. However, in January, he changed his plea to guilty. The probable cause affidavit provides a chilling look into the incident. Criscenzo told investigators he felt shocked by his own actions, stating, “I can’t believe I shot her.” His motive was that “I just didn’t want her to go and thought she was going to leave me.”
Per People, the affidavit further details a confrontation that occurred before the shooting. According to the documents, Criscenzo claimed that Oglesby had grabbed his PS5 controller and told him she was leaving.
He told police he had gathered her belongings, told her to stop, and then proceeded to shoot her. His father, Thomas Criscenzo, allegedly heard the couple talking before hearing a single pop outside his bedroom. When he emerged, he found Oglesby on the floor and heard his son making statements like, “I killed my baby.”
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Jeff Goering denied a request for a reduced sentence, emphasizing that the entire tragedy could have been avoided if the defendant had simply allowed the victim to walk away. “Naomi was wanting to leave. Mr. Criscenzo didn’t want her to leave,” the judge stated. “Had he just let her leave the house, we wouldn’t be here dealing with this tragedy today.” It is a sentiment that underscores the senselessness of the violence.
The victim’s family has been vocal about the lasting consequences of this crime. Ashley Stewart, Oglesby’s sister, spoke during the sentencing to highlight the permanent shift in their lives. She noted that Criscenzo did not just end the life of her sister, but also permanently altered the trajectory of the newborn’s life. She pointed out that the child will never be able to experience a normal childhood or adulthood, assuming she even makes it to adulthood at all.
Friends and loved ones have described Naomi Oglesby as a vibrant and welcoming person who was taken far too soon. One friend recalled how she was always there for others, laughing and dancing even during difficult times. A GoFundMe page established after the incident noted the extreme uncertainty surrounding the baby’s quality of life.
The 74-year prison sentence marks the conclusion of the legal proceedings for this specific case, but the impact on those left behind remains a permanent fixture of their lives. Crimes against pregnant women are always harrowing because of what their pregnancy means to us as a species. So it’s horrendous to see cases where ICE agents mistreat a pregnant woman.
The minute that crime affects the baby, like it did here or in the case of Ellie Wilkins, where her unborn baby was targeted, it gets a hundred times worse.
Published: Apr 27, 2026 02:29 pm