Father’s Heartbreaking Testimony
In a tragic incident, a one-year-old boy named Nicholas Feliz-Dominici lost his life due to a Fentanyl overdose while in the care of the Divino Nino Day Care in the Bronx.
Nicholas’s grieving father, Otoniel Feliz, age 32, has come forward to express his profound sense of betrayal.
He trusted the daycare owner, Grei Mendez De Ventura, age 36, as well as her husband, Felix Herrera Garcia, age 34, and Garcia’s cousin, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, age 41.
All three now face serious charges, including second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter, assault, and drug possession.
A Father’s Trust Shattered
Otoniel Feliz held a photo of his beloved son, Nicholas, as he spoke about the trust he had in daycare owner Mendez De Ventura.
He had regarded her as an attentive caregiver who would regularly provide updates to his wife via text message.
Feliz’s sense of betrayal is profound, as he reflects on how they trusted the daycare with their child’s well-being.
He emphasized their emotional turmoil, vividly recalling the tragic events of that day, which left them with nothing but a reminder of their son’s death.
Legal Proceedings and Pleas
Mendez, Garcia, and Brito have all pleaded not guilty in Bronx Supreme Court. Brito asserted his innocence with a plea of ‘no culpable.’
Their trial is scheduled to commence on December 19.
The daycare, which was supposed to be a place of care and learning, is now under scrutiny for allegedly serving as a front for a fentanyl dealing operation that had dire consequences for Nicholas and three other children.
Daycare’s Shocking Dual Role
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark condemned the daycare’s dual role as both a childcare facility and a drug operation, stating, “This was not really a daycare center – this was a drug operation.”
The children were unwittingly used as a shield in this dangerous setup, leading to tragedy.
Concerns Over Drug Exposure
It was revealed that daycare owner Mendez De Ventura had removed her own two-year-old child from the facility due to concerns of drug exposure.
The gravity of the situation became even more apparent when Garcia, after abandoning the sick children, was arrested following an 11-day international manhunt.
His actions, captured on security cameras, showed him leaving the daycare carrying bags.
A Disturbing Discovery
Authorities discovered alarming evidence within the daycare premises, including strainers, tape, a grinder, plastic bags, digital scales, and bags containing a mysterious grayish powder.
A hidden trap door concealed a stash of drugs near children’s toys, exposing the shocking extent of the operation.
The Fentanyl Crisis
This case sheds light on the growing threat of fentanyl in New York, where it is now the leading cause of fatal overdose.
The synthetic opioid was detected in 80% of overdose deaths in 2021, resulting in 1,868 fatalities, as per NYC Health data.
Mayor Eric Adams has pledged a comprehensive effort to combat the drug’s entry into the city.
Additional Arrests in Connection to Ghost Guns
In a related development, police have uncovered untraceable weapons, known as ghost guns, produced using 3D printers at a second daycare facility.
Authorities apprehended three individuals, including the daycare owner’s 18-year-old son, Karon Jamal Coley, who faces firearms charges. The prevalence of such untraceable firearms raises concerns over public safety.
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