NYC Daycare Owner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges After Toddler's Fentanyl Death
October 30, 2024U.S. Attorney Damian Williams condemned Mendez's actions, emphasizing the collateral damage caused by the fentanyl epidemic and the risks posed to innocent children.
Despite passing a surprise inspection by city officials, it was revealed that they were not trained to detect fentanyl during their compliance checks.
Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the city's health commissioner, acknowledged the urgent need for better training to identify synthetic opioids in childcare facilities.
Before alerting emergency responders about the unresponsive children, Mendez contacted her husband, who was later arrested in Mexico.
Following the incident, Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of protecting children in the city and highlighted the dangers posed by illegal drug operations.
Grei Mendez, the owner of a New York City daycare center, pleaded guilty to federal drug charges following the tragic death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici due to fentanyl ingestion.
Mendez and her husband, Felix Herrera Garcia, were found to be operating a fentanyl distribution operation from the daycare, which had previously passed health inspections.
In court, Mendez expressed deep remorse for her involvement, stating that it would haunt her for life, and revealed that her husband had encouraged her to open the daycare as a cover for his drug business.
The case has sparked increased scrutiny of daycare centers in New York City, with officials questioning how background checks failed to prevent such incidents.
Surveillance footage captured Herrera Garcia entering the daycare shortly before emergency responders arrived, leaving with bags full of drugs.
Investigators discovered that Herrera Garcia had been running a drug operation from the daycare since at least 2022, even after his brother died of fentanyl poisoning.
Felix Herrera Garcia was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in the drug trafficking operation, which was linked to the daycare.
Summary based on 10 sources
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USA TODAY • Oct 30, 2024
Owner of NYC day care where toddler died from fentanyl pleads guilty to federal charges