Prosecutors say Vincent Battiloro intentionally hit Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis with his car on September 29, 2025. The two girls were killed in the crash.

Battiloro appeared in court Wednesday and will remain in custody as the case moves forward.

The decision to charge him in adult court was important to both families, whose attorneys said they wanted the case handled outside the juvenile court system.

“Very happy, this is where this case should be,” said Brent Bramnick, attorney for the Niotis family. He said the juvenile system’s confidentiality rules can make it difficult for families to obtain information about a case.

Salas was remembered by her family as a talented young performer with a passion for theater and singing.

“She’d been doing theatre since sixth grade,” said Cory Rothbort, attorney for the Salas family. “She had a beautiful voice.”

The families are also seeking answers about reports that Battiloro had allegedly harassed Niotis and her family before the crash. Their attorneys questioned whether law enforcement responded adequately to earlier complaints.

“You have a mother who’s begging the police for help,” Bramnick said. “From what we can see right now, based on the evidence we see, nothing was done.”

Both girls would have graduated this year. Their families are asking the community to continue honoring their memories as the criminal case proceeds.

“Keep talking about Isabella and keep talking about Maria,” Rothbort said. “Keep their names out there and keep honoring them.”