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Fentanyl in a daycare in The Bronx, New York City caused the death of 1-year-old Nicholas Dominici on September 15, 2023, and is also believed to have caused the sickness of three other children between the ages of eight months and two years. A kilogram of fentanyl was allegedly stored under a playmat in the daycare center.[2][3] According to the police, the quantity of fentanyl found in the facility was enough to kill 500,000 people.[3]
| Date | September 15, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Divino Niño daycare center[1] |
| Location | 2707 Morris Avenue, Bronx, New York City[1] |
| Coordinates | 40°52′5.4″N 73°53′44.3″W / 40.868167°N 73.895639°W |
| Type | Fentanyl exposure |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 3 |
Background
editThe daycare center was opened in January 2023. On September 6 the daycare center had a surprise inspection, and passed.[2] Before the death, the child had been at the daycare for one week.[3]
Timeline
editDeath and illnesses
editOn September 15, 2023, afternoon the owner of the daycare center discovered that the children would not wake up from their nap time. After making three phone calls (two to her husband), she called for emergency services. After reaching the center, emergency doctors found signs of opioid intoxication. According to surveillance footage, the husband removed multiple shopping bags from the nursery.[2][3] Allegedly the two deleted about 20,000 text messages before being arrested in efforts to cover up an alleged narcotics operation.[2][3] These were recovered by authorities. The husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, fled the scene,[3] and was found a week later in Mexico. He was found and arrested while in a bus heading for Culiacán.[4] The three other children were admitted to hospital and given Narcan to reverse overdoses to opioids.[3]
Investigations
editOn Monday September 18, 2023, an investigation was carried out in the daycare center, finding a kilogram of fentanyl placed under a playmat, and three presses used to package narcotics according to New York Police.[3] On the same day, NYPD Chief Detective Joseph Kenny said that a kilogram of fentanyl was discovered “underneath a rug where the children were sleeping”.[5] On 21 September, a trapdoor in the floor of the building was discovered by police. Inside was approximately 10 kilograms of drugs wrapped in the form of bricks. Drug paraphernalia was also found inside.[6] On September 27, autopsy revealed that the cause of death of the 1-year-old was a fentanyl overdose.[7]
Legal proceedings
editThe owner of the daycare center and her tenant are being federally charged with narcotics possession. Federal prosecutors allege that the death and sicknesses of the children were caused by the owner and tenant poisoning them due to a drug operation. If convicted, the owner and her husband will receive life in prison.[3]
In July 2024 Herrera-Garcia pled guilty to "one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury, one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death, and one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in serious bodily injury". Paredes pled guilty to "conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury".[8][9] In October Herrera-Garcia was sentenced to 45 years in prison.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Hoogensen, Finn (September 18, 2023). "Fentanyl found where kids slept at Bronx day care: police". PIX11. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Offenhartz, Jake (September 19, 2023). "NYC day care operator tried to cover up fentanyl operation before 1-year-old's death, feds allege". AP News. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Matza, Max (September 19, 2023). "US child dies from fentanyl kept under nursery nap mat". BBC News. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ Bauman, Ali (September 26, 2023). "Husband of New York City day care owner arrested in child's fentanyl death". CBS News. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "Fentanil: a chocante morte de criança por suspeita de overdose em creche de Nova York". G1 (in Portuguese). September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ^ Morales, Mark (September 21, 2023). "NYPD finds trap door and drugs hidden in floor at Bronx day care where 1-year-old died of suspected fentanyl overdose". CNN. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ Tanyos, Faris (September 29, 2023). "Toddler's death at New York City day care caused by fentanyl overdose, autopsy finds". CBS News. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ "In deadly day care fentanyl case in NYC, 2 men plead guilty as trial was set to start". NPR. June 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Southern District of New York | Two Defendants Charged With Federal Narcotics Offenses In Connection With The Poisoning Of Four Children At A Bronx Daycare Plead Guilty | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. June 10, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ "Man sentenced to prison for child's fentanyl-related death at Bronx day care". CBS News. October 16, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.