Ghost Gun Lab Found In NYC Daycare, 3 Youths Arrested: Officials

NEW YORK CITY — A ghost gun lab run by an 18-year-old, with the help of two minors, 3-D printed untraceable weapons inside a working New York City daycare, authorities said.

The disturbing discovery in East Harlem led to weapons charges against the young trio and came barely two weeks after city dwellers were shocked to learn that four children overdosed — one fatally —after being exposed to fentanyl peddled out of a Bronx daycare.

Mayor Eric Adams and other top city law enforcement officials revealed most recent dangerous daycare discovery Wednesday during a grim news conference.

The mayor promised parents that the city will be vigilant about threats in daycares.

"This is a heart-breaking scenario where you're thinking you’re dropping your child off to a place that's a safe haven, just to find out that it was a dangerous environment," he said.

"Who would have thought that we must add to our list of inspections, 'Do we have 3-D printers that can print guns?'"

Many details about the bust Tuesday remained scant shortly after the mayor's news conference.

The arrests sprung from a long-term probe into illegal privately made firearms, or PMFs, in New York City, said Rebecca Weiner, the NYPD's deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism.

Investigators found minors bought ghost gun parts online, in part through identity thefts from people across the U.S., Weiner said.

The trail of evidence brought police to an 18-year-old who lived in an East Harlem home that doubled as a licensed daycare center run by the teen's mother, Weiner said.

A warrant search Tuesday revealed the daycare had two completed 3-D printed firearms, a 3-D printer and other tools used to make weapons, Weiner said. Cops also found a maltreated and neglected dog that the NYPD's animal cruelty unit took from the home for evaluation, she said.

"This is a growing trend in New York City," she said of ghost gun discoveries and arrests.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the youths will face charges of illegal firearms possession, manufacturing of an assault weapon and reckless endangerment.

Health officials said the daycare was last inspected in February and received three violations.

Adams said the accusations were disturbing.

"You've got an 18-year-old in his room with a 3-D printer: he's not making robotic toys," he said. "He's making guns."