Trap door found at the Bronx daycare where a child died from suspected fentanyl exposure.Photo:New York Police Department
New York Police Department
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has uncovered a trapdoor hiding “a large quantity” of illegal drugs at theBronx daycare where a 1-year-old diedfrom suspected opioid exposure.
“A large quantity of Fentanyl, other narcotics, & drug paraphernalia was recovered in a trap floor in the play area at the daycare center,” the statement continued.
1-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici lost his life after apparently being exposed to opioids at the daycare last week, authorities said in a Sept.15press conference. The young boy was pronounced dead at Montefiore Medical Center, the NYPD confirmed.
Nicholas Feliz Dominici.Gofundme
Gofundme
“This was not supposed to happen, it was expected that in this kind of place our son would be safe while his parents fought to give Nicholas and his brothers a better future,”his parentsOtoniel Feliz Samboy and Zoila Dominici said on aGoFundMeaccount created on Wednesday.
The other children were identified as an 8-month-old girl, a 1-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy, the NYPD said in a prior statement shared with PEOPLE.
Grei Mendez, 36, and Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41have both been charged over Nicholas’ death, PEOPLE confirmed on Sept. 18.
Mendez operated the Bronx-based Divino Niño Daycare from an apartment, while Brito was a resident in the building, reportedTheNew York Times.
Bronx-based Divino Niño Daycare.Google Maps
Google Maps
Police also allegedly found a third kilo press in Brito’s closet, and he and Mendez are accused of 11 criminal offenses including murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance andendangering the welfare of a child, according to the complaint, which has not yet gone to a grand jury.
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According toCBS News, Mendez and Brito were set to appear at the Bronx Supreme Court on Thursday morning, however, neither appeared before a judge because they are currently in federal custody, so their attorneys waived their appearance, according to the outlet.
Their next court date is scheduled for Oct. 5.
Last week, New York City MayorEric Adams, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny held apress conferenceregarding the incident.
Fentanyl pill bottle.Getty
Getty
According to the mayor, the four kids “appeared to have come in contact with an opioid that led to hospitalization for three of the children, and one child is DOA — died — from this interaction.”
“All three children were unresponsive and demonstrating symptoms of opioid exposure,” Kenny added during the press conference. “Narcan was administeredto all three of these children in an attempt to save their lives.”
On Tuesday, DEA Special Agent in ChargeFrank A. Tarentino IIIsaid, “Tragedy doesn’t begin to describe the events that took place at Divino Niño Daycare. This death and drug poisonings are every parent’s worst nightmare and clearly define the danger fentanyl poses to every New Yorker.”
He also called the defendants’ actions callous, irresponsible and unacceptable.
source: people.com
