Bronx daycare owner Grei Mendez pleads guilty to running a fentanyl operation that killed a toddler, shattering the trust of parents and exposing the deadly consequences of drug trafficking in our communities.
Is the world getting less safe by the day?
At a Glance
- Grei Mendez, owner of Divino Niño Daycare in the Bronx, pleaded guilty to all criminal charges related to a fentanyl exposure incident that killed a 22-month-old child and hospitalized three others.
- Mendez admitted to conspiring to maintain and distribute large quantities of fentanyl at the daycare, which was used as a secret stash house for drug operations since at least 2022.
- Authorities found a kilogram-sized brick of fentanyl, two press machines, and concealed drugs beneath play areas at the day care.
- Mendez faces a minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison for her charges.
- The incident has led to increased scrutiny of New York City day care centers and highlighted the need for stricter background checks for child care providers.
A Daycare Turned Drug Den
In a shocking revelation that has rocked the Bronx community, Grei Mendez, the owner of Divino Niño Daycare, has admitted to running a drug trafficking operation from the very place entrusted with the care of young children.
This blatant betrayal of parental trust resulted in the tragic death of a 22-month-old child and the hospitalization of three others due to fentanyl exposure. The incident has exposed the dark underbelly of drug trafficking and its devastating impact on innocent lives.
Mendez’s guilty plea to all criminal charges paints a grim picture of the extent of the drug operation. The daycare, located in Kingsbridge, was used as a secret stash house for drug operations since at least 2022. Authorities uncovered a kilogram-sized brick of fentanyl, two press machines, and drugs concealed beneath play areas, turning what should have been a safe haven for children into a dangerous drug den.
A woman who owned a New York City day care center where a toddler died after ingesting fentanyl pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison with the potential for up to life behind bars. https://t.co/GgBnfQykET
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 29, 2024
The Depth of Deception
The audacity of this crime is further emphasized by the fact that the daycare had passed routine health checks and had no prior complaints of drug activity. This highlights the cunning nature of drug traffickers and their ability to exploit unsuspecting communities. Mendez’s husband, Herrera Garcia, who has already been sentenced to 45 years in prison, saw the daycare as the “perfect way to conceal his drug business.”
“Grei Mendez has just admitted she conspired to maintain and distribute large quantities of dangerously toxic fentanyl in a Bronx day care center, a place where parents expected their children would be protected and safe,” Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York said on the matter.
The investigation revealed over eleven kilograms of fentanyl and heroin stored in secret compartments at the daycare. This massive quantity of deadly drugs in such close proximity to children underscores the callous disregard for human life exhibited by these criminals. It’s a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the ongoing fentanyl epidemic and the lengths to which drug traffickers will go to conceal their illegal activities.
This tragic incident has sparked a renewed focus on child safety and the need for more rigorous vetting processes for daycare providers. New York City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, have emphasized the critical importance of protecting our most vulnerable citizens. The case has exposed a concerning backlog in background checks for child care providers, a loophole that must be closed immediately to prevent future tragedies.
Something has to be done about the huge quantities of illegal and dangerous drugs coming over our border…
