Felix Herrera Garcia fled Bronx daycare while overdosing his children.
The husband of the owner of the New York day care center where a 1-year-old died of fentanyl poisoning pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges, officials said.
In September 2023, Felix Herrera Garcia was seen fleeing the Bronx daycare into an alley, carrying two heavy shopping bags as children suffered the effects of fentanyl, officials said. Herrera Garcia fled to Mexico after her death and was eventually arrested in Mexico after a week-long manhunt.
A 1-year-old boy, Nicholas Dominici, died and three other children, ages 8 months to 2 years, were hospitalized and treated with Narcan, police said.
Herrera Garcia, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, one count of possession with intent to distribute resulting in death and one count of possession with intent to distribute resulting in serious bodily injury, officials said.
All three counts carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.
The fentanyl was stored, in part, in a trapdoor under the floor of the daycare, officials said. Investigators also discovered a kilogram of fentanyl stored on children’s play mats, according to court documents.
Herrera Garcia’s wife, Grei Mendez, removed their 2-year-old son from his own daycare before the incident after concerns he was showing signs of exposure to fentanyl. Mendez never reported the alleged exposure to police, according to sources, and did not allow the boy to return to the facility. However, she kept the daycare open for other children.
Charges are pending against Mendez and his cousin.