The Bronx day-care center where one tot died and three others were hospitalized from suspected fentanyl exposure was being used as a drug front, police sources said Sunday — as its owner was hauled to court.
Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the proprietor of Divino Nino Daycare, was stoic as she was led out of the 52nd Precinct, followed by alleged cohort Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41 — who lived in the basement along with the drugged-up day-care business.
Brito hid his face from reporters as he was walked from the precinct wearing a white baseball cap and putting his head down. He was put in a separate NYPD car for the trip to Bronx Criminal Court.
Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the proprietor of Divino Nino Daycare, was taken from the 52nd Precinct in cuffs. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Fellow suspect Carlisto Acevedo Brito lived in the basement daycare.
Police said Mendez was later taken to Lincoln Hospital for a medical evaluation and is listed in stable condition.
The suspects — who face raps including murder — did not respond to questions from reporters outside the precinct.
Both suspects are awaiting arraignment.
The pair was charged Saturday with murder, assault and child endangerment in the suspected fentanyl-exposure death of 1-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici.
Nicholas Feliz Dominici died after a likely fentanyl exposure at the Bronx day care. Yeissy Dominici/FacebookThree other children — two 2-year-old boys and the 8-month-old sister of one of them — remain hospitalized after being exposed to the deadly drug, according to police.
The kiddies were apparently exposed when the drug was cut in the day-care center and some of it floated into the air, allowing them to inhale it, law-enforcement sources explained.
Police have launched a manhunt for Ventura’s husband, who lived with her next door and is also sought in the boy’s death, sources said.
Two arrests have been made following the tots’ death, including the day cares owner and a neighbor. Christopher Sadowski
Police at the scene of a tragedy in the Bronx, where a 1-year-old died at a day care after being exposed to drugs. Christopher SadowskiCops responded to a 911 call from the Kingsbridge child care center shortly after 3:30 p.m. Friday and found three of the children unresponsive — allegedly after being exposed to fentanyl, according to cops.
At least some of the children were administered Narcan to try to save them.
Dominici was rushed to Montefiore Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
One of the 2-year-old boys is in critical condition while the 8-month-old girl is in stable condition.
The other toddler was taken to BronxCare Health Systems by an acquaintance and is in stable condition.
In addition to the depraved indifference murder charge, the pair is facing a slew of charges including manslaughter, reckless endangerment of a child, assault and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Additional reporting by Haley Brown
