In a harrowing event that has left communities devastated and officials searching for answers, a 1-year-old boy named Nicholas Dominici died last Friday due to suspected fentanyl exposure at a Bronx day care center. Three other children were also hospitalized under similar circumstances. Following the tragic incident, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, and Grei Mendez, 36, were arrested Saturday night on multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Unclear Relationship with Day Care and Ongoing Investigations
The relationship between Brito and Mendez and the daycare center is still unclear, as police have not yet issued a statement clarifying their involvement. While the cause and manner of Nicholas Dominici's death remain under investigation, the incident has exposed critical vulnerabilities in child care settings amid the ongoing opioid crisis.
Last Friday, shortly after 2:40 p.m., officers went to a 911 call and discovered Dominici unconscious and unresponsive . When he arrived at Montefiore Medical Center, he was declared dead. A 2-year-old boy and an 8-month-old daughter, who were both found unconscious at the scene, were also sent to the Montefiore Medical Center. The daughter is stable, but the son is classified as being in serious condition. Another 2-year-old kid who was taken to the hospital by his mother because he was "acting lethargic and unresponsive" is now in stable condition.
All of the children discovered at the childcare facility received Narcan, the opioid overdose antidote, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Later, a "kilo press," which Kenny defined as a tool "frequently used by drug dealers for packaging large quantities of narcotics," was found at the location according to a search warrant.
Licensed by the state, the daycare center was last inspected on Sept. 9 by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and no violations were found at that time. Commissioner Ashwin Vasan disclosed that the center opened in January and had already undergone two routine inspections to secure its license.
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Mayor and Experts Call for Greater Awareness
Mayor Eric Adams described the incident as a "real wake-up call," especially for those who might be storing opioids or fentanyl in their homes. "Mere contact is deadly for an adult and is extremely deadly for a child," he emphasized.
The shocking event follows unsettling trends in recent research. A study published earlier this year in the journal Pediatrics revealed that opioids are the leading cause of poisoning deaths among children ages 5 and younger. In 2021 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 107,000 opioid-related overdose deaths, marking an all-time high.
Despite Narcan's recent availability over the counter, this incident underscores that broader systemic efforts are needed to curb the opioid epidemic and safeguard vulnerable populations. It also raises pressing questions about the adequacy of regulations and inspections for daycare centers, particularly those that are home-based, like the center involved in this tragedy.
The event has horrified parents, policymakers, and law enforcement officials alike, serving as a grim testament to the far-reaching impact of the opioid epidemic in America. As investigations continue, the incident is poised to be a catalyst for renewed dialogue and action aimed at both combating the opioid crisis and improving child safety in daycare settings.
