Daycare Tragedy Unfolds in the Bronx: Owner and Neighbor Arrested for Child’s Fentanyl Death

Bronx Daycare Tragedy: Owner and Neighbor Arrested Following Child’s Death

In a heart-wrenching incident, a daycare center in the Bronx faces a devastating tragedy as multiple children were hospitalized and one-year-old Nicholas Feliz-Dominici lost his life due to fentanyl poisoning while under their care.

Arrests and Charges: Owner and Neighbor in Custody

The owner of Divino Nino Daycare, Grei Mendez De Ventura, and her neighbor, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, were taken into custody and are now facing a multitude of charges.

These charges range from murder and manslaughter to serious injury and drug possession.

The Devastated Grandmother’s Account

The grandmother of two of the children affected by the fentanyl overdoses shared the harrowing details of the incident.

The siblings, an eight-month-old girl and a two-year-old boy, were found unconscious on a playmat in the daycare.

The grandmother described the heart-wrenching phone call from her son-in-law, revealing the grim news.

Parental Concerns and Daycare Practices

The father of the deceased child, Otoniel Feliz, expressed his concerns about the daycare’s practices.

He mentioned that parents were not allowed inside after the initial tour, citing cleanliness as the reason. The children were often brought to their parents instead of parents going inside.

Tragic Turn of Events

The devastating turn of events unfolded quickly. One week after Nicholas was enrolled at the daycare, he tragically ingested fentanyl.

All four children were found unconscious after their naps. Despite administering Narcan, Nicholas could not be saved.

Investigation Details

The investigation into this heartbreaking incident revealed that fentanyl and other drugs were present at the daycare, along with a kilo press used to package drugs.

All four children came into contact with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid responsible for a surge in overdose deaths across the United States.

Fentanyl’s Lethal Impact

Fentanyl, a substance 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, has led to a significant increase in drug overdose deaths.

The rate of fentanyl-related deaths tripled from 2016 to 2021, contributing to a growing opioid crisis.

Government Response to Overdose Epidemic

The Biden administration has been actively addressing the overdose epidemic, as drug-related overdose deaths surpassed 100,000 in 2021.

The rise in overdose deaths has been attributed to the use of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, underscoring the urgency of addressing this crisis.