A Daycare Owner Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges
Fentanyl Poisoning Death of 22-month-old Toddler
A woman who owned a New York City daycare center where a toddler died after ingesting fentanyl has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges. Grei Mendez, 37, entered the guilty plea in Manhattan to charges including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. The charges were filed over a year after the September 2023 death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici.
Husband Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison
Earlier this month, her husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, was sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges and causing bodily harm. The couple’s guilt plea followed an investigation that uncovered a large quantity of fentanyl and other drug paraphernalia hidden at the daycare center.
Daycare Center a Perfect Cover for Drug Operation
Mendez described how her husband encouraged her to open the daycare center, which she believed would help her. However, she soon realized that it was actually a "perfect way to conceal his drug business." She claimed her husband was responsible for the drug operation, but prosecutors say she took steps to cover up the drug operation after realizing some of the children were not waking up from their naps.
Extensive Drug Operation Uncovered
Police executing a search warrant on the Bronx apartment found a large quantity of fentanyl and other drug paraphernalia hidden beneath a trap door in the children’s play area. The drug operation was extensive, with a kilogram of fentanyl stored on top of playmats used by children and multiple devices for mixing the powder with other narcotics and pressing it into bricks.
Criminal Charges and Sentencing
Mendez faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and the potential for up to life behind bars. She is due to be sentenced on March 3. In addition to the federal charges, Mendez has also been charged in state court with murder, manslaughter, and assault. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutor’s Statement
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams called Mendez’s conduct "reprehensible." "Grei Mendez has just admitted she conspired to maintain and distribute large quantities of dangerously toxic fentanyl in a Bronx Daycare center, a place where parents expected their children would be protected and safe," he said. "From the beginning, this case has shown the senseless collateral damage caused by the fentanyl epidemic, and should remind us all that the demand for illegal narcotics so often puts innocent bystanders at risk while drug traffickers ruthlessly pursue profits."
Conclusion
The case highlights the devastating consequences of the fentanyl epidemic and the need for continued efforts to combat it. The death of a 22-month-old child is a tragedy that should serve as a reminder of the dangers of drugs and the importance of holding those responsible accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to the other children at the daycare center?
A: Three other children who were exposed to the fentanyl at the daycare center survived after medics administered the overdose-reversing drug Narcan.
Q: What was the extent of the drug operation?
A: Investigators found a large quantity of fentanyl and other drug paraphernalia hidden at the daycare center, including a kilogram of fentanyl stored on top of playmats used by children and multiple devices for mixing and pressing the powder into bricks.
Q: What is the punishment for Mendez’s crimes?
A: Mendez faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and the potential for up to life behind bars. She is due to be sentenced on March 3.
Q: Have the couple’s lawyers commented on the case?
A: Mendez’s lawyers have not commented on the case, but they have previously suggested that her husband was responsible for the drugs and that she had no knowledge of the operation.
