A 1-year-old boy died and three other children were hospitalized after being exposed to fentanyl at a daycare center in the Bronx, New York City, on September 16, 2023. The two people who ran the daycare center, Grei Mendez and Carlisto Acevedo Brito, were arrested on murder and drug charges.
Police say that Mendez and Brito were storing fentanyl in the daycare center, and that the children were exposed to the drug through contact or inhalation. A kilogram of fentanyl, along with a press device used to package drugs, was found inside the daycare center.
The child who died, Nicholas Dominici, was pronounced dead at Montefiore Hospital. The other three children were treated for opioid overdose and recovered.
Mendez and Brito are both facing charges of murder with depraved indifference, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The fentanyl daycare death has shocked the New York City community and raised concerns about the safety of daycare centers. The New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has announced that it will be increasing inspections of daycare centers and requiring them to have Narcan on hand.
Fentanyl Crisis
The fentanyl daycare death is a tragic reminder of the dangers of this deadly drug. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, without the user's knowledge, which can lead to overdose and death.
Fentanyl overdoses are on the rise in the United States, and children are particularly vulnerable to its effects. Even a small amount of fentanyl can be fatal to a child.
Parents can protect their children from fentanyl by talking to them about the dangers of drugs and by teaching them to avoid suspicious substances. Parents should also be aware of the signs of an opioid overdose, which include drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty breathing. If a child is suspected of overdosing on an opioid, Narcan should be administered immediately and the child should be taken to the hospital.