Third person charged in fentanyl-exposure death of 1-year-old at Bronx daycare center

A third person has been charged in the death of a one-year-old child who was exposed to fentanyl along with three other children at a Bronx daycare center, officials announced Monday.

The case sparked national outcry after one-year-old Nicholas Dominici died earlier this month following exposure to fentanyl at the Divino Niño daycare center. Three other children, all under the age of three, were hospitalized with serious injuries following what appeared to be the effects of fentanyl poisoning, officials said.

Law enforcement officials found large quantities of fentanyl and other drugs in hidden floor compartments and atop children’s play mats at Divino Niño, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Also found were drug packaging materials, such as glassine envelopes stamped in red with “RED DAWN.”

“Traffickers often hide contraband in inconspicuous or unsuspecting locations with no regard for the safety of others,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III. “In this case, the Daycare’s floorboards were used as concealment, putting children’s lives at risk who innocently sat on the floor to play.”

Renny Paredes was charged in Manhattan federal court with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, which carries a minimum of 20 years in prison up to a life sentence.

2 others charged in daycare center drug op

Grei Mendez, 36, who ran the Divino Niño daycare center, and Carlisto Brito, 41, her cousin-in-law who rented a room from her, were both arrested earlier this month in connection to the drug poisoning of four children, resulting in one death.

Mendez and Brito hastily moved to cover up the operation before seeking help for the children exposed to the drug, according to prosecutors. Before calling 911, Mendez contacted a co-conspirator, who soon came to the daycare center and fled minutes later with two full shopping bags.

Following Paredes’ arrest, police searched his apartment and found shopping bags containing tools used to prepare and distribute drugs, including strainers, tape, a grinder, plastic bags and digital scales, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

“Today’s arrest is one more step toward obtaining justice for the child-victims of this heinous offense and their families," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Monday.

What happened at the daycare center?

On Sept. 15, police were called to the daycare center and found an 8-month-old girl and two boys, 1 and 2, unconscious. First responders administered Narcan to all three children after it was determined they were exhibiting signs of a drug overdose. 

OTC NARCAN:Nasal spray for overdoses will be available over-the-counter at major pharmacies

1-year-old Dominici died at Montefiore Hospital later that afternoon. The two other children recovered.

Another 2-year-old boy from the daycare was checked into BronxCare Hospital after his mother noticed he was "lethargic and unresponsive" and recovered after being administered Narcan.

The day care center had passed three routine checks by the health department, including an unannounced search days before the children’s fentanyl exposure. Police also confirmed they had received no complaints from the community related to "drug transactions" at the center.

Fentanyl's extreme strength means even a tiny amount could cause the death of a child who came into contact with it, according to Julie Gaither, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine.

"Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, which is in itself more potent than most prescription opioids," Gaither told USA TODAY. "It takes only a miniscule amount of fentanyl to kill a child and to send them into respiratory distress and respiratory arrest, and to become unresponsive very quickly."