NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Police are searching for a third person as flowers and candles continue to build up in front of the ground-floor entrance of the Divino Nino Daycare where a one-year-old boy died and three other children were hospitalized possibly by drug exposure on Friday.
Authorities have arrested Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, a tenant renting a room from the daycare owner, and Grei Mendez, 36, the daycare's owner, and they are now facing 11 charges, including murder, manslaughter, and assault.
One kilo of fentanyl was found in one of the closets at the daycare, police said.
As the investigation continues, NYPD Chief of Detectives, Joseph Kenny, in an overnight news conference, said they discovered a kilo press during their search, pointing out that such equipment is typically used by drug dealers.
Police want to speak with and are now looking for Mendez’s husband.
The one-year-old, Nicholas Dominici, who had only been at the daycare for a week, died. Narcan revived two of the other children, a 2-year-old boy and 8-month-old girl.
"It's devastating to think you could drop off your child and then get a call that they're unresponsive," Tyeisha, a local resident and a mother of a 7-year-old told 1010 WINS’ Glenn Schuck.
The death of Dominici highlights the city's ongoing challenge to combat the opioid crisis.
In 2021, more than 2,600 people lost their lives to overdoses in New York City, according to a report released by the city’s health department. There is a 78% jump from 2019 and 27% from 2020. These numbers varied based on age, race, and where people lived.
Fentanyl, which is stronger than morphine, was found in 80% of these cases. It's been the main drug for overdose for the past five years.
“This crisis is real, and it is a real wake‑up call for individuals who have opioids or fentanyl in their homes,” Mayor Eric Adams said during a midnight briefing.
There is currently an autopsy being performed to determine the exact cause of Dominici’s death.