Nicholas Feliz Dominici.Photo:Gofundme
Gofundme
Felix Herrera Garcia, the husband of the woman who owneda daycare in the Bronx where a toddler recently diedas a result of suspected fentanyl exposure, was taken into custody in Mexico, law enforcement sources toldThe New York Post,CNNandCBS New York.
“Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, a POI was taken into custody in Mexico," a New York Police Department spokesperson told PEOPLE Tuesday.
Bronx daycare.Google Maps
Google Maps
Herrera Garcia, who is believed to be a co-conspirator, was reportedly captured on surveillance video exiting the back of the daycare in question just minutes before first responders arrived.
CNN reports that in the surveillance footage, Herrera Garcia was allegedly holding plastic bags that investigators believed contained fentanyl after the children became unconscious.
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A 1-year-old, Nicholas Feliz Dominici, died at Divino Niño and three other young children were immediately hospitalized.
During a press conference with NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny Friday, New York City MayorEric Adamsstated that four children at the daycare “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.”
Grei Mendez (center), a suspect in the Bronx daycare death of 1-year-old Nicholas Dominici.Theodore Parisienne for NY Daily News via Getty
Theodore Parisienne for NY Daily News via Getty
Mendez, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, and Renny Antonio Parra Paredes, 38, were arrested as part of the alleged conspiracy, CNN reports. They and Herrera Garcia are believed to be mid-level drug distributors, a federal law enforcement officer previously told CNN.
Atrapdoor leading to narcoticswas also found after Nicholas’ death, police said on Sept. 21.
It’s “horrible that drugs were found in a place where children are cared for,”Nicholas’s father, Otoniel FeliztoldThe New York Times. He added, “[How] does it make sense that you’re going to mix narcotics with children?”
The commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, said that the “home-based childcare site,” which opened in January, had no violations.
Nicholas Feliz Dominici.Gofundme
Last week, a New York City grand jury voted to indict Mendez and Brito, CNN said.
Mendez and Brito were also chargedin state court with murder, manslaughter, assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to court documents.
On Monday, Parra Paredes was charged in federal court in Manhattan with one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death.
PEOPLE was unable to immediately reach Mendez’s attorney for comment.
source: people.com
