Tragic Shooting in Wichita Leaves Pregnant Woman Dead, Newborn in Critical Condition
What truly happened inside a Wichita home on a late May night remains a haunting question. Naomi Oglesby, a 20-year-old woman nearly nine months pregnant, was fatally shot on May 25. Her boyfriend, 19-year-old Matthew Criscenzo—father of her unborn child—allegedly confessed to the shooting, but now denies guilt. Their newborn daughter survived but with severe injuries, leaving friends and family grappling with a painful, uncertain truth.
According to Wichita police, officers responded to a shooting at the home of Matthew’s father, where the couple sometimes stayed. Naomi was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her wounds. Medical staff were able to deliver her baby girl, Zy’nia, who suffered severe brain trauma from oxygen deprivation, seizures, and required intubation. A GoFundMe established for Zy’nia’s care described a grim prognosis, cautioning that she may never recover fully.
Court documents reveal that Matthew’s father reported the shooting after hearing a loud noise and finding Naomi on the ground. Matthew allegedly told police in emotional statements that he “killed my baby” and expressed disbelief at his actions, claiming the conflict started when Naomi took his PlayStation controller and threatened to leave. He said he packed her belongings, asked her to stop, then shot her.
Despite these alleged admissions, Matthew pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges on September 11, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.
Friends and loved ones remember Naomi as a vibrant and caring presence. “Naomi was a beautiful soul taken far too soon,” one post said. A close friend told local news, “She was always laughing, always making people feel welcome. On lonely nights, Naomi stayed up with me.”
Conclusion
This heartbreaking case has left a young mother dead and her infant fighting for life, while a community mourns the loss of a beloved young woman. Though prosecutors say evidence points to Matthew’s guilt, his not-guilty plea deepens the mystery surrounding Naomi’s final moments. As the legal process unfolds, family and friends are left with painful questions about love, violence, and the fragile line between devotion and destruction.