New York City — Felix Herrera Garcia, the husband of the owner of a Bronx day care where a 1-year-old child died from fentanyl poisoning, was sentenced Wednesday to 45 years in prison for federal drug trafficking charges.
Garcia, 35, pleaded guilty in June to charges related to the trafficking of fentanyl from the day care, where authorities discovered a dangerous operation. In September 2023, Nicholas Dominici, a 1-year-old boy attending the facility, tragically lost his life. Three other children, aged 8 months to 2 years, were hospitalized and treated with Narcan after showing signs of fentanyl exposure.
During sentencing, federal prosecutors detailed how Garcia was seen fleeing the day care through a back alley while carrying heavy shopping bags as children suffered from the drug’s effects. Investigators revealed that Garcia and accomplices had hidden more than 11 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin in secret compartments beneath the floor tiles of the playroom, where children played, ate, and slept daily.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams condemned Garcia’s actions, stating, “Felix Herrera Garcia operated a deadly fentanyl trafficking enterprise out of a day care, recklessly putting babies at risk of fentanyl exposure on a daily basis.” He emphasized the tragic consequences of the ongoing fentanyl epidemic in America.
Following the incident, Garcia fled to Mexico but was apprehended after a week-long manhunt. His wife, Grei Mendez, who also worked at the day care, has been charged in connection with the drug trafficking scheme. Prior to the incident, Mendez had pulled their 2-year-old son from the day care due to concerns about potential fentanyl exposure but did not report the matter to authorities, keeping the facility open for other children.
Federal documents revealed that Mendez deleted over 20,000 messages exchanged with Garcia between March 2021 and the date of the tragedy on September 15, 2023. Before contacting emergency services about the unresponsive children, she made three calls to a day care employee and two to her husband.
In addition to the prison sentence, Garcia received five years of supervised release. The case underscores the dire implications of the fentanyl crisis and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable communities.