A one-year-old boy tragically died after inhaling fentanyl at a daycare in a heartbreaking incident that has sent shockwaves through a Bronx neighborhood.
This heartbreaking event's details have raised disturbing questions about the daycare's operations and connection to a suspected drug ring, according to New York Post.
1-Year-Old's Fentanyl-Related Death Uncovers Dark Daycare Secrets
The daycare owner, Grei Mendez De Ventura, faces allegations of contacting accomplices in a suspected drug operation before dialing 911 to seek medical assistance for the children exposed to fentanyl. The incident unfolded on a fateful Friday afternoon, with Nicholas Feliz Dominici and three other children facing exposure to this dangerous substance.
Reports suggest that instead of immediately seeking help for the children, Mendez De Ventura called her husband, who is believed to be a significant figure in the alleged drug ring, her cousin-in-law's neighbor Carlisto Acevedo Brito, and a friend.
Only after these calls she contacted emergency services around 3:30 pm. Tragically, when medical personnel arrived and transported the one-year-old to the hospital, it was too late, and he was pronounced dead.
Law enforcement sources have expressed concern over the delay in calling for help, stating that Mendez De Ventura appeared to be more focused on her welfare and the interests of the alleged drug dealers.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured her husband arriving at the daycare through the back door, spending some time inside, and then leaving with a bag believed to contain a substantial amount of illicit drugs. Subsequent phone conversations between the couple further raised suspicions.
While three of the children exposed to fentanyl were taken to the hospital and survived, one remains in critical condition, according to the police.
Brito, aged 41, and Mendez De Ventura have both been arrested and face many charges, including murder, manslaughter, assault, drug possession, and child endangerment. As for Mendez De Ventura's husband, his whereabouts remain unknown, as per ABC News.
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New York Daycare Inspection
Shockingly, the daycare on Morris Avenue in Kingsbridge had recently passed an inspection before the tragic incident. However, when law enforcement officials raided the facility after the incident, they made disturbing discoveries.
Notably, a kilogram of fentanyl was found in an area used for children's naps, raising questions about the environment's safety. Additionally, three kilogram press devices were recovered to package bulk quantities of drugs.
The children's exposure to fentanyl is particularly concerning as it is a highly potent and dangerous synthetic opioid. When cut and released into the air, it poses a grave risk to those inhaling it. Law enforcement administered Narcan to some of the affected children as an emergency measure to counter the effects of the drug.
Many neighbors have since come forward, shedding light on suspicions about the daycare's legitimacy and activities. According to several residents, the daycare appeared to be a front for illicit operations, as it was rare to see children entering or exiting the facility. Instead, it was predominantly adults who frequented the location.
A 69-year-old neighbor, who remained anonymous, expressed the community's concerns: "A daycare with no children and men coming in and out. Yes, we knew something. We knew something, something was not good happening there."
The tragic incident at the Bronx daycare has not only resulted in the loss of a young life but has also exposed a disturbing nexus between childcare and alleged criminal activities.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, questions surrounding the daycare's true purpose and the extent of its involvement in a suspected drug operation will demand answers.
This heartbreaking incident is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and oversight in childcare facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable, Daily Mail reported.
