The operators of a Bronx day care center were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Wednesday for the fentanyl poisoning death of a toddler in 2023.
Day Care Masked Narcotics Operation
Grei Mendez, 38, and Felix Herrera Garcia, 37, were sentenced for the murder of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici. The pair was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury last November.
According to prosecutors, the day care was used to conceal a fentanyl packaging and distribution operation. Four children, including Nicholas, were exposed to the drugs in September 2023. Three of the children survived, but Nicholas Dominici died.
Devastating Impact
District Attorney Darcel Clark stated, “A stunning little boy died and three children aged eight months to two years became seriously ill from fentanyl poisoning…Little Nicholas paid with his life for their greed; now Mendez and Garcia will spend the rest of their days in prison.”
Mendez and Garcia are already serving 45-year sentences in federal prison for narcotics trafficking related to Nicholas’s death. The state sentence will run concurrently with their federal sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the fentanyl exposure occur?
The fentanyl exposure occurred on September 15, 2023.
How many children were affected?
Four children were exposed to fentanyl at the day care, with one death and three surviving.
What were the charges against Mendez and Garcia?
Mendez and Garcia were convicted of second-degree murder and are also serving sentences for federal narcotics trafficking charges.
What further steps might be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future?
