Owner, Grei Mendez De Ventura, of NYC daycare where boy, 1, died from fentanyl exposure is slapped with federal drug conspiracy charges
- Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the owner of Divino Nino Daycare and her alleged accomplice Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, were charged on Tuesday in Manhattan
- Prosecutors said the pair ‘used the daycare center front to cloak their true operation: a fentanyl drug mill’
- Nicholas Feliz Dominici, a 1-year-old boy, died from possible fentanyl exposure and three other children fell ill, one child was in critical condition
The female owner of a New York City daycare where a one-year-old boy died from fentanyl exposure has been hit with federal drug conspiracy charges along with her husband’s cousin.
Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the owner of Divino Nino Daycare and her alleged accomplice Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, were charged on Tuesday in Manhattan court with one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death.
Prosecutors said the pair ‘used the daycare center front to cloak their true operation: a fentanyl drug mill.’
Nicholas Feliz Dominici, a 1-year-old boy, who had only been at the center for a week, died from possible fentanyl exposure. Three other children fell ill and were hospitalized with one in critical condition.
The drug duo were reportedly cutting up the drugs near the area where the children nap. De Ventura reportedly stood on the sidelines as her cohort cut the opiod. Some fentanyl particles kicked into the air and the children are believed to have inhaled the deadly drug, sources said.
Divino Nino owner Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, is seen on Sunday after her arrest outside of the 52nd Precinct. She was charged on Tuesday with one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death
De Ventura’s alleged co-conspirator Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, (pictured) kept his head down as he left NYC’s 52nd precinct after also being arrested in connection to the overdose
Pictured: Nicholas Feliz-Dominici, 1, died on Friday after ingesting fentanyl at a Bronx daycare
A third suspect is being sought in the bust.
According to reports, Da Ventura called several people before calling the authorities for help with the children. One of those people, she reportedly phoned was her husband who has been described as the ring leader in the drug operation.
He is still on the lam. An NYPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that they are still searching for him and the investigation is ongoing.
Da Ventura, 36, opened the Bronx day care earlier this year. On September 6, the facility passed a surprise inspection. The home-based center was registered under the city’s Department of Children and Family Service.
Nicholas Feliz-Dominici‘s grief-stricken parents Zoila Dominici and Otoniel Feliz said the daycare was recommended by Kingsbridge Heights Community Center.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Monday that police discovered ‘a kilogram of fentanyl in an area that was used to give the children naps.’
.Officials said nearly a kilo of fentanyl and a kilo press, a device typically used to combine fentanyl with either cocaine or heroin, was found inside the apartment.