NEW YORK – The owner of a New York City day care where a toddler died from fentanyl poisoning has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges. Grei Mendez, who ran Divino Niño day care, admitted guilt in several counts, including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, more than a year after one child died and three others were injured from fentanyl in September 2023.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in a statement. “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.”
As NBC News reports, the 37-year-old Mendez briefly broke down as she recounted agreeing with her husband and another accomplice to store and distribute drugs from the day care. She explained that her husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, had encouraged her to open the center, initially under the guise of helping her. However, she soon realized he intended to use the day care as a front for his drug business. Herrera-Garcia was sentenced earlier this month to 45 years in prison.