Day Care Owner Pleads Guilty After Toddler Fentanyl Death

Grei Mendez, a day care owner, has pleaded guilty to drug charges after the tragic fentanyl death of a toddler at her Bronx facility.

At a Glance

Grei Mendez pleaded guilty following the fentanyl death of a toddler at her day care.
This incident highlighted the dangers and reach of the fentanyl epidemic.
Mendez admitted to her involvement in the drug operation at the facility.
Legal actions against Mendez include a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison.

Tragic Fentanyl Death at Day Care

In a disturbing case, Grei Mendez, owner of Divino Niño Daycare in the Bronx, has admitted to federal charges. The charges stem from the death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici in September 2023 due to fentanyl ingestion at the day care. Mendez faced accusations of conspiring to distribute narcotics resulting in Nicholas’s untimely death. This case has drawn attention to the dire reality of drug operations occurring in unexpected places such as child care facilities.

Following the tragic incident, investigations found substantial amounts of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia hidden in the day care. Mendez confessed to helping her husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, in a drug operation at their location. This appalling misuse of a children’s facility has shocked both law enforcement officials and the public, as it serves as a reminder of fentanyl’s pervasive and destructive impact.

A woman who owned a New York City day care center where a toddler died after ingesting fentanyl pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison with the potential for up to life behind bars. https://t.co/GgBnfQykET

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 29, 2024

Legal Battles and Sentencing

Grei Mendez was charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and now faces significant legal consequences, including a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. Her husband received a 45-year prison sentence for related offenses. Mendez admitted that drugs were packaged in the same apartment where the day care operated, hidden from unsuspecting parents and authorities alike. This has raised concerns about regulatory oversight in New York City childcare facilities.

Mendez also faces state charges, including murder, manslaughter, and assault, to which she has pleaded not guilty. Investigations unveiled that Mendez initially attempted to cover up the incident by contacting her husband before alerting emergency services. Surveillance footage showed her husband removing items from the day care before help arrived, suggesting a systematic attempt at evading responsibility.

Impact on the Community

The fallout from this case has brought to light critical issues around childcare facility regulations and the overlooked dangers in places meant to be safe for children. The tragic death of Nicholas Dominici and the survival of three other children, who received Narcan treatment, emphasize the severity of the opioid epidemic’s reach. Mendez’s actions and the subsequent investigation have heightened scrutiny and strengthened calls for better regulatory practices in childcare services.

“This case has shown the senseless collateral damage caused by the fentanyl epidemic, and should remind us all that the demand for illegal narcotics so often puts innocent bystanders at risk while drug traffickers ruthlessly pursue profits,” Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said.

New York City officials have responded by advocating for robust measures to safeguard children, urging improvements in background checks and stricter inspections for childcare providers. This incident stands as a stark warning of the potential dangers concealed behind trusted community institutions.