Enough drugs found at day care center where child died from fentanyl exposure to kill thousands

A trapdoor cache was discovered during an investigation in the nursery. Photo: Unipixs

Cops found enough fentanyl and other drugs to kill 500,000 people. hidden under a hatch in the play area of ​​a daycare center where a 1-year-old boy died of an overdose.

Photos released by New York authorities show a square section of the floor lifting to reveal several clear bags filled with white and brown substances, as well as drug paraphernalia stacked between wooden beams.

One-year-old Nicholas Dominici died on September 15, 2023 from an opioid overdose after being exposed at a day care center. During a search of the child's room, fentanyl was found on the rug on which he slept in the child's nap room, as well as kilo presses, a device commonly used to mix large quantities of drugs.

Three other children were under the influence. arrest. three-year-old children were hospitalized after being poisoned by the drug at Divino Niño Daycare in the Bronx.

Nicholas Dominici was sleeping on a mat next to the fentanyl storage area. Photo: Unipixs

Officers returned to the nursery on Wednesday, September 20. after a report of a manhole containing drugs.

Homeowner Gray Mendez, 36, and her tenant, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, are charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute resulting in death , as well as in conspiracy. Both suspects were being held without bail and face life in prison if convicted.

Phone records show Ms Mendez called her husband several times after discovering the children were sick before she contacted emergency services. Her husband then arrived and removed several full shopping bags from the nursery, officials said. The police are looking for him.

Bags of drugs were found under the hatch. Photo: Unipixs

The complaint filed in Manhattan Federal Court states that «Defendants possessed large quantities of fentanyl, including a kilogram of fentanyl stored on children's play mats.»

Manhattan US Attorney Damien Williams said, that Ms. Mendez and her co-conspirators placed children “directly in danger by running a drug operation and storing deadly fentanyl in the very place where the children ate, slept and played.”

Ms.’s lawyer Mendes told the BBC his client denies the allegations. and did not know that Mr. Brito was storing drugs in the children's room.