Bronx Daycare Owner Sentenced to 45 Years for Fentanyl Death of Toddler

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Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-03-04 08:39:23 |

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Grei Mendez, the owner of a Bronx daycare where a toddler tragically died after ingesting fentanyl, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison. The case shocked the nation, highlighting the dangers of illicit fentanyl and the extreme negligence that led to the death of 22-month-old Nicholas Feliz-Dominici. Mendez pleaded guilty to federal drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. Her husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, received the same sentence after admitting to drug-related charges and causing bodily harm. The court found that both had ignored clear warning signs, failed to seek medical help for the affected children, and attempted to cover up their crimes.

The incident occurred on September 15, 2023, when Feliz-Dominici and three other children were exposed to fentanyl at the daycare. While three children survived after receiving Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, Feliz-Dominici succumbed to the poisoning. Investigators later found a brick of fentanyl placed directly on children’s playmats, along with drug-packaging materials and additional fentanyl hidden beneath a trap door in a play area. These findings painted a disturbing picture of a daycare that was being used as a front for a drug operation, putting young lives at risk.

During sentencing, Judge Jed S. Rakoff strongly condemned Mendez’s actions, characterizing her negligence as reckless and inexcusable. He noted that she prioritized her husband and her own children over the safety of the children in her care. Prosecutors emphasized that Mendez had ample opportunities to act when children showed signs of distress but instead chose to ignore the symptoms, lie to authorities, and destroy evidence to protect herself and her co-conspirators. The parents of Feliz-Dominici expressed their devastation, with his father stating, “We’re living, but we’re not alive,” capturing the profound grief that the loss of their child brought upon them.

Fentanyl, the drug at the center of this case, is a synthetic opioid known for its extreme potency—50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. While it is used medically for pain relief, illegal fentanyl has become a major contributor to the opioid crisis, often leading to fatal overdoses. The drug is especially dangerous for children, as even a minuscule amount can cause respiratory failure and death. Infants and toddlers, due to their smaller bodies and developing physiology, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of fentanyl, making exposure even more deadly. Before her sentencing, Mendez addressed the grieving families, stating through an interpreter that the tragedy was an accident and expressing remorse. However, her plea for forgiveness did little to mitigate the anguish of the affected families. The case serves as a stark reminder of the lethal consequences of fentanyl exposure and the devastating impact of negligence when it comes to the safety of children.

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