A community in New York City is reeling after the unimaginable occurred at a Bronx day care. Four children, including an 8-month-old infant, reportedly became ill after allegedly ingesting fentanyl at Divino Nino Day Care in Kingsbridge. New York City Police shared case details in a somber news conference on Friday.
The New York Times reported that police arrived at the day care center after reports of three children found unresponsive at nap time around 2:45 p.m. After performing life-saving measures, sadly, only two children survived. Emergency crews took Nicholas Dominici, 1, to Montefiore Medical Center, where he died.
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Police said the children exhibited signs of opioid exposure.
During the news conference, Chief of Detectives Joseph E. Kenny said police recognized signs of drug overdose and administered Narcan to the three children. Nicholas could not be revived and died at a nearby hospital. Police soon learned of a fourth child who had left the day care center earlier that day and was also exhibiting signs of drug exposure.
“Once home, the child’s mother noticed the kid was acting lethargic and unresponsive. He was brought to Bronx Care Hospital, where he was administered Narcan and his life was saved,” Kenny reported.
NYPD obtained a search warrant and found disturbing evidence on the scene.
Once inside the day care center, investigators found several items related to drug use and production. Kenny explained police found a kilo press, which drug dealers often use to package large quantities of illegal substances.
The day care was reportedly licensed.
Kenny said during the news conference that Divino Nino was not only licensed by the state of New York but was also reportedly inspected on September 9, 2023, and officials found no violations. Photos taken by the New York Post show the facility seemingly in disrepair. Images depict a messy center with food strewn on counters and trash on the floor.
“With all these kids getting hurt in day care, the city is going to have to step it up and investigate them, check the entire apartment. You are not supposed to have people living in your apartment if you know you have kids there,” Joanne Martinez told Pix 11.
Divino Nino opened in January.
Dr. Ashwin Vasan, commissioner of the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, explained during the news conference that the day care center was a new at-home site that had only been operating for eight months. Vasan also discussed the “opioid crisis” with fentanyl in particular. He said everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of fentanyl and that it “affects everyone.”
“A small child, not someone we would think would be at risk of interacting with opioids, has come into contact with a powerful substance,” he said.
Vasan added that fentanyl could cause intoxication from ingesting, inhaling, and even touching the substance. Officials have not released details about what led to the day care overdoses, but the investigation is ongoing.
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Police arrested two suspects Saturday.
Grei Medez, 36, reportedly owned Divino Nino Day Care and rented a room inside the building to Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41. Police took both into custody for their alleged involvement in Friday's tragic incident. They face multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, assault, criminal possession of narcotics, and four counts of endangering the welfare of children, according to Pix 11.
“We should not be here. These children do not deserve this. So please, pray for them and their families,” Police Commissioner Edward Caban said during the news conference.
