The husband of the owner of a New York City day care where a 1-year-old tragically died from fentanyl poisoning has pleaded guilty to federal charges, officials announced Monday.
Suspect Flees the NYC Day Care as Children Suffer Fentanyl Poisoning
In September 2023, Felix Herrera Garcia was spotted fleeing the Bronx day care through a back alley, carrying two heavy shopping bags, while children inside were suffering the effects of fentanyl exposure.
On Monday, Herrera Garcia, 35, pleaded guilty to several federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute resulting in death, and possession with intent to distribute resulting in serious bodily injury.
Each charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, with a maximum of life imprisonment.
Police authorities hunted Garcia after the Bronx daycare tragedy that affected a total of four children, ranging in age from 8 months to 2 years.
The suspect fled overseas after Sept. 15 triggering a weeklong manhunt that eventually resulted in his arrest.
Garcia was arrested in Sinaloa, Mexico, two weeks after the death of the 1-year-old child, Nicholas Feliz-Dominici, at the El Divino Nino daycare on Morris Ave. near E. 196th St. in Fordham Manor.
The 1-year-old toddler was rushed into the nearby hospital for medical attention, but was later pronounced dead. Aside from Nicholas, three other kids from daycare were also affected by the fentanyl poisoning.
Two other children were rushed by their parents to the hospital; one is an 8-month-old baby, and the other is a 2-year-old child. Both children were given life-saving measures after exhibiting symptoms of lethargy and were given a Narcan drug, as reported by the officials.
Furthermore, a fourth child, who is also a 1-year-old was reported to have experienced lethargy and unresponsiveness about two hours after the parent picked up the child in the brox daycare. The toddler was immediately rushed to the hospital, where Narcan was admitted.
Tragic Details and Legal Consequences
Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark announced the guilty plea on the day Herrera Garcia's trial was set to begin.
"Herrera Garcia has now been held accountable in the tragic loss of little Nicholas, the serious injury of Abel, and the harm to Kiara and Jaziel," Clark stated.
Investigations revealed that fentanyl was stored in a trapdoor beneath the day care floor. Additionally, a kilo of fentanyl was discovered on children's play mats.
These dangerous storage methods led to the exposure that caused such harm to the children.
Day Care Owner's Involvement and Ongoing Cases
Adding another layer to the tragedy, Herrera Garcia's wife, Grei Mendez, had removed their 2-year-old son from the daycare before the incident, suspecting he was showing signs of fentanyl exposure.
Despite her concerns, Mendez did not report the suspected exposure to authorities and continued operating the day care for other children. Mendez and her cousin are both facing pending cases related to the incident.
The tragic death of Nicholas Dominici and the suffering of the other children have brought to light the critical importance of safety and vigilance in child care settings.
