A New York daycare operator and two others were indicted Thursday in connection with the death of one child and injuries to several others.
On Thursday, the Bronx DA’s office announced the indictment of daycare operator Grei Mendez, 36, her husband Felix Herrera Garcia, 34, and his cousin Carlisto Brito, 41, on murder and other charges. The defendants allegedly exposed four children, including 1-year-old Nicholas Dominici (who died) to fentanyl at the daycare last month.
According to court documents, Mendez, Garcia, and Brito were each indicted on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in Nicholas’ death after narcotics exposure at the facility, CNN reports.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Mendez is owner of Divino Niño Daycare in Kingsbridge, an unregistered childcare center she managed out of her apartment. Brito was her tenant.
Three other children — an 8-month-old girl and two 2-year-old boys — were hospitalized after first responders used Narcan to save their lives last month. Nicholas, however, passed away from opioid exposure that police say happened at the hands of the defendants.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny previously said that police “discovered a kilogram of fentanyl in an area that was used to give the children naps” inside the daycare apartment.
Prosecutors allege the defendants were “mid-level” drug dealers who cut fentanyl with baby powder, utilizing pressing machines at the daycare, where they were packaging the narcotics for distribution.
A law enforcement official previously told CNN that kilo quantities were stored atop play mats. Additional fentanyl was discovered beneath trap doors inside the play and sleep area, court documents read.
In addition to second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, the defendants are facing charges of:
- First-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
- First-degree assault (four counts)
- Second-degree assault (five counts)
- Endangering the welfare of a child (four counts)
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday at the Bronx Supreme Criminal Court, according to court documents.
Mendez’s lawyer, Andres Manuel Aranda, told CNN that she will “continue to plead not guilty.”
“She is really sad because of what happened to the children,” Aranda said.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Nicholas Dominici/Handout]
