Title: Father’s Emotional Statement as Suspects Plead Not Guilty in Fentanyl Exposure Death at Bronx Day Care Center
Subtitle: 1-Year-Old’s Death Exposes Shocking Drug Operation Disguised as Childcare Facility
Bronx, NY – Two of the three suspects facing murder charges in connection with the death of a 1-year-old boy from fentanyl exposure at a Bronx day care center entered their pleas of not guilty in court on Thursday, prompting an emotional reaction from the child’s parents. The case has sent shockwaves through New York City and shed light on a drug trafficking front being operated under the guise of childcare.
Grei Mendez, the operator of the day care center, and Carlisto Acevedo Brito pleaded not guilty in a Bronx courtroom, responding to the charges brought against them. The third suspect, Felix Herrera Garcia, was also indicted but is yet to be arraigned. The trio face charges of murder, manslaughter, assault, and child endangerment, among others.
Prosecutors revealed that the incident not only claimed the life of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici but also left three other children sickened due to fentanyl stashed at the illicit day care center. Authorities believe Mendez’s establishment was being used as a front for drug trafficking.
During a news conference, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, expressed her indignation and grief over the tragic case, stating, “Our sorrow is matched only by the outrage because these babies were used as shields to protect a narcotics operation.” She vowed to take action against similar daycare centers operating out of private homes.
The child’s father, Otoniel Feliz, delivered a heart-wrenching statement, displaying a photograph of his son and expressing his grief. “We trusted this day care because everything was going OK. We trusted her because she kept us updated. We never imagined this was going to happen. Had I known, I wouldn’t have sent him there,” Feliz said, pointing to Mendez.
Authorities investigating the case discovered a disturbing set-up concealed within the daycare center, including hidden compartments holding an unopened package of Narcan (an opioid overdose-reversal medication), drugs stashed beneath a padded mat where the children napped, and a trapdoor concealing additional narcotics.
The suspects are also facing federal charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and narcotics possession, as part of a separate case. They are scheduled to appear in federal court on October 12.
The tragedy has served as a somber reminder to eliminate drug traffickers from communities. “We will get justice for them. But what we have to do is make sure this never, ever happens again to any other child,” emphasized Clark.
As the families of the affected children grapple with the loss, grief, and betrayal, this shocking incident highlights the critical need for stringent scrutiny and regulation of daycare centers, particularly those operating out of private homes.
The defendants maintain their innocence, with Mendez claiming she was unaware of the drugs hidden at the center. Attorneys for the other suspects have yet to comment on the charges.
As the legal proceedings continue, the memory of young Nicholas Dominici serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from such illicit operations disguised behind the veneer of innocent childcare settings.