Husband of New York day care owner arrested in Mexico after child’s fentanyl death

NEW YORK – The husband of the New York day care owner facing charges in connection with a child’s fentanyl death has been arrested in Mexico, according to several news sources.

ABC News reports that Felix Herrera Garcia was arrested on a bus in Sinaloa, home to one of the world’s deadliest drug cartels. Authorities have been searching for him since one child died and three others were injured from fentanyl while at a Bronx day care on September 15th. 

As Emily’s Hope reported earlier this month, the New York Police Department said officers found a kilogram of fentanyl stored on top of children’s play mats at Divino Niño day care center. Investigators also found large quantities of suspected narcotics in hidden compartments known as “traps” located in the floor of the room in which the children played and slept.

Three others, including Garcia’s wife, Grei Mendez, were previously arrested and charged in connection with the fentanyl deaths and injuries.

According to court documents, Mendez called her husband twice before dialing 911 to help the unresponsive children at her day care. Prosecutors also allege that surveillance video shows Garcia walking out of a back alley behind the day care with several bags, after his wife called 911 but before first responders arrived.

Courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York