Murder Charges in Daycare Deaths

Police uncovered a trap door in the nap room of the Bronx daycare where a child died. Prosecutors said six kilos of fentanyl, heroin and other controlled substances were stored underneath the floor where children slept. -Photo by Bronx DA

Bronx Voice 

October 5, 2023

BRONX - The owner of a Bronx daycare, her husband and his cousin were charged with murder  and drug possession in connection with allegedly running a drug mill out of the daycare. Three children were poisoned by exposure to fentanyl. Nicholas Dominici, who was under two years old, died from exposure to the drug.

Grei Mendez, 36, and Felix Herrera Garcia, 34, and Carlisto Brito, 41, were arraigned today on an indictment charging second-degree Murder, first-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, second-degree Manslaughter, four counts of first-degree Assault, five counts of second-degree Assault, second, third and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy. The defendants are remanded and are due back in court on November 27, 2023.

“A beautiful little boy lost his life and three precious children aged eight months to two years became seriously ill from fentanyl poisoning. This is a catastrophe,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “Our sorrow is matched only by outrage because these babies were shields to protect a narcotics  operation. Nicholas’ death was entirely—excruciatingly—needless and avoidable. We will get justice for him, the other children and their families.”

According to the investigation, on September 15, 2023, at 2:43 p.m. in an apartment in 2707 Morris Avenue that was a licensed daycare, and where Brito resided in a bedroom, four children were poisoned by exposure to fentanyl, resulting in the death of Nicholas Dominici and acute opioid intoxication requiring hospital treatment for an 8-month-old girl, her 2-year-old brother and another 2-year-old boy. 

Emergency Medical Service Technicians used Narcan to reverse symptoms of the brother and sister, but Nicholas died. The other boy was treated at the hospital.

 

According to the investigation, a kilo of fentanyl was found in a closet in the daycare apartment, and six kilos of fentanyl, heroin and other controlled substances were found under a trap door in the floor, under a padded mat where children napped. Kilo presses and other drug paraphernalia were found in the apartment.

 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.