Father weeps as 3 charged with murder in his toddler’s fentanyl death at NYC day care

In a tragic turn of events, Nicholas Dominici’s father, Otoniel Feliz, expressed his profound sorrow and disappointment, as he had once envisioned capturing moments of his son’s future, such as kindergarten graduation. However, instead of cherished memories, he clutched a photograph of his beloved child, tears streaming down his face. This heart-wrenching scene unfolded following the toddler’s untimely demise last month. He, along with three other young children, fell victim to a dire situation – exposure to fentanyl – within a daycare facility in the Bronx.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, flanked by other officials, gathered to announce the indictments against those responsible for this tragedy, including charges of murder and manslaughter. The accused individuals in this horrifying incident include the daycare center’s operator, Grei Mendez, her husband Felix Herrera Garcia, and Garcia’s cousin, Carlisto Brito. Tragically, Nicholas Dominici was a mere 22 months old and had spent just a few days at the Divino Niño daycare center when he passed away on September 15.

Clark revealed that Mendez, Herrera Garcia, and Brito were arraigned, with the court ordering them to be held without bail. Arrests were made after Dominici and three other children under Mendez’s care exhibited distressing symptoms of opioid exposure. Herrera Garcia, who authorities claim fled to Mexico, was apprehended there and subsequently extradited to New York. Regrettably, Dominici did not survive, while the other three children, ranging in age from 8 months to 2 years old, received treatment for their exposure to fentanyl.

Investigations unveiled a disturbing cache of narcotics within the daycare premises, with a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fentanyl discovered in a closet. Even more distressing, beneath a padded mat where the children napped, a trap door concealed a staggering 6 kilograms (13.23 pounds) of fentanyl, heroin, and other controlled substances.

Bronx District Attorney Clark expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is a catastrophe.” She noted that the sorrow felt is only rivaled by the collective outrage because these innocent infants had been unwittingly employed as shields to protect a nefarious narcotics operation. Clark emphasized that these children are not just statistics but our shared responsibility to safeguard.

Andres Aranda, an attorney representing Mendez, vehemently asserted her innocence, affirming that she had no knowledge of any fentanyl operation. Messages seeking comments from Brito and Herrera Garcia’s attorneys remain unanswered.

In addition to the state charges, the defendants, along with a fourth individual, are also facing federal narcotics charges.

Nicholas Dominici’s father, Otoniel Feliz, alternated between Spanish and English as he recounted how Mendez had earned his trust during his son’s brief stay at the daycare center. He expressed a sense of betrayal, given that the daycare had consistently provided updates, including photos and text messages, throughout the day. Feliz, while expressing gratitude to those involved in the case, acknowledged that nothing could bring his son back from this devastating loss.

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More about Fentanyl Tragedy

• NYC Daycare Operator Charged with Murder
• Fentanyl Exposure in NYC Daycare Case
• Federal Narcotics Charges in NYC Daycare Case
• Details of the NYC Daycare Fentanyl Tragedy
• Child Victims of Fentanyl Exposure
• Defendant’s Innocence Claim