NYC Day Care Owner Pleads Guilty To Charges In Baby's Fentanyl Death

NEW YORK CITY — A city day care owner has pled guilty to federal charges after she and her husband along with others ran a fentanyl trafficking ring that resulted in the death of a toddler last year, prosecutors announced.

Grei Mendez has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in serious bodily injury charges, prosecutors said.

The charges carry a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

“Grei Mendez has just admitted she conspired to maintain and distribute large quantities of dangerously toxic fentanyl in a Bronx Daycare center, a place where parents expected their children would be protected and safe. Mendez’s reprehensible conduct resulted in the needless and tragic death of a child, and the poisoning of three others," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said.

"From the beginning, this case has shown the senseless collateral damage caused by the fentanyl epidemic, and should remind us all that the demand for illegal narcotics so often puts innocent bystanders at risk while drug traffickers ruthlessly pursue profits. This Office will continue to protect New Yorkers from the grave threat fentanyl presents.”

Mendez's husband, Felix Herrera Garcia, 35, was sentenced to 45 years in prison two weeks ago, Patch previously reported.

On September 15, 2023, 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici was killed, and four others were poisoned at the daycare due to fentanyl exposure.

Co-conspirator Renny Antonio Parra Paredes has also pleaded guilty in connection to the fentanyl trafficking ring.

In addition, Carlisto Acevedo Brito is also facing charges, according to prosecutors.