A woman who owned a New York City day care 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. This comes more than a year after the tragic death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici in September 2023.
Mendez tearfully admitted that she conspired with her husband and another individual to possess and distribute drugs. She confessed to helping package and store narcotics in the Bronx apartment where she operated the Divino Niño day care center. Mendez expressed deep remorse, stating that the incident would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Her husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, was previously sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges and causing bodily harm. Mendez revealed that her husband had encouraged her to open the day care center, which she later realized was being used to conceal his drug business.
Authorities discovered a significant amount of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia hidden in the children's play area during a search of the Bronx apartment. The investigation revealed that Mendez took steps to cover up the drug operation after some children exposed to fentanyl failed to wake up from their naps.
Prosecutors have described Mendez's actions as reprehensible, emphasizing the dangers posed by the fentanyl epidemic. Mendez faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and the possibility of life behind bars. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3 and has also been charged in state court with murder, manslaughter, and assault.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of illegal narcotics and the risks faced by innocent individuals due to drug trafficking activities. Mendez's lawyers have previously maintained that she had no knowledge of the drug operation and have indicated that her husband was responsible for the drugs.
