‘We trusted her’: Father of one-year-old boy who died from fentanyl exposure at Bronx daycare tearfully holds photo of his son and says he feels ‘betrayed’ – as owner, her husband and cousin are face murder charges
The father of a one-year-old child who died of a fentanyl overdose at a Bronx daycare has told how he “trusted” the owner – who now faces murder charges along with her husband and his cousin.
Nicholas Feliz-Dominici was identified as a deceased toddler who was one of four children who swallowed fentanyl while being cared for on September 15 at the Divino Nino Day Care on Morris Avenue in Kingsbridge.
The boy’s distraught father, Otoniel Feliz, 32, has consistently spoken about his feelings of betrayal by owner Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, husband Felix Herrera Garcia, 34, and her husband’s cousin. Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41.
All three were arraigned Thursday on charges including manslaughter, manslaughter, assault and drug possession.
Feliz said – while holding up a photo of Nicholas for the world to see – that his view of Mendez De Ventura had been that of an attentive caregiver, who consistently texted his wife updates on “anything and everything.”
Otoniel Feliz, 32, the father of a one-year-old child who died of a fentanyl overdose at a Bronx daycare, told how he “trusted” the owner, who now faces murder charges along with her husband and his cousin
Nicholas Feliz-Dominici was identified as the deceased toddler who was one of four children who ingested fentanyl while being cared for at Divino Nino Day Care on Morris Avenue in Kingsbridge on September 15.
‘We trusted her. We feel betrayed by that daycare center,” Feliz said New York Post.
‘We feel very emotional as we remember every detail of this tragic event. It’s really hard for us,” he said.
He added that all he has of his baby now is “a reminder of his death.” Nothing will bring him back.”
Mendez, Garcia and Brito all pleaded not guilty in Bronx Supreme Court, with Brito saying “not guilty.” Their trial is currently scheduled to begin on December 19.
The daycare allegedly acted as a front for a fentanyl trafficking operation in the building’s basement, which led to Nicholas’ death and injuries to three other children.
The three other children, two two-year-old boys and an eight-month-old girl, were also poisoned but survived with the help of Narcan.
“This wasn’t really a daycare — this was a drug operation,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “And they used babies as shields. I’m furious.’
It comes as it previously emerged that The Venture had taken her own two-year-old child out of nursery over fears he was showing signs of exposure to the drug.
Mendez was arraigned Thursday on charges including murder, manslaughter, assault and drug possession.
Mendez de Ventura is dismissed from court after their arraignment
Mendez, Garcia (pictured) and Brito all pleaded not guilty in Bronx Supreme Court, with Brito saying “not guilty.” Their trial is currently scheduled to begin on December 19
Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, was also charged Thursday
Evidence from the district attorney’s office at the day care center where a child died of a fentanyl overdose
Three other children, two two-year-old boys and an eight-month-old girl, were also poisoned but survived with the help of Narcan.
The daycare allegedly acted as a front for a fentanyl trafficking operation in the building’s basement, which led to Nicholas’ death and injuries to three other children.
Garcia was returned to the US last week after being stranded on a bus through Sinaloa following an 11-day international manhunt.
In the complaint against him, authorities said his wife called him before he called 911 when the children became sick.
Security camera footage showed Garcia entering the daycare and leaving with two full shopping bags.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Garcia “fled the daycare center while the children he left there suffered as a result of his toxic trade.”
Mendez then deleted more than 21,000 text messages she had exchanged with her husband, according to prosecutors.
The couple is charged along with Garcia’s cousin Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, and Renny Antonio Parra Paredes, 38, who is suspected of narcotics distribution.
“This wasn’t really a daycare; this was a drug operation,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark (pictured center). “And they used babies as shields. I’m furious’
Otoniel Feliz comforts his wife at the press and announces the charges against the childcare operators
Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, who helped run the daycare, is one of four people charged in connection with the poisonings
Authorities say the four used the daycare as a front for a drug trafficking ring.
A search turned up sieves, tape, a grinder, plastic bags, a digital scale and two clear bags filled with a “grayish powder,” as well as a “rectangular, brick-shaped package that appeared to contain narcotics.”
Subsequent searches also revealed a trap door leading to a stash of drugs just steps away from shelves of children’s toys.
The case illustrates the growing threat of fentanyl in New York, which is now the most common cause of fatal overdoses in the city.
The synthetic opioid was found in 80 percent of overdose deaths in 2021 and was responsible for 1,868 fatalities, according to the latest data from NYC Health.
At a press conference after the child poisoning, Mayor Eric Adams promised a “full national attack” on the drug coming into the city.
Meanwhile, the police have recovered ghost weapons, untraceable weapons, that were made on 3D printers from a second daycare center.
Police swarmed the East Harlem home where the company was located and arrested three people in connection. CNN reports.
The 18-year-old son of the daycare owner, Karon Jamal Coley, was charged with gun charges along with two other minors, whose details were not provided.