NYC Mayor urges nationwide action against fentanyl after infant’s suspected opioid death.
New York City Mayor Calls for National Assault on Fentanyl
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for a “national assault” on fentanyl following the arrest of the owner of a Bronx daycare facility where a 1-year-old boy tragically died after allegedly being exposed to opioids.
Mayor Adams made this urgent plea after meeting with the grieving parents of baby Nicholas Dominici on September 18. Just days before, suspects Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, and Grei Mendez, 36, were arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, assault, depraved indifference, and multiple drug charges.
Both suspects have been ordered to be held without bail.
“This was probably one of the worst days I’ve had of going up to the Bronx, sitting down with those parents, losing their babies like this,” Mr. Adams said. “They dropped the babies off to a daycare center hoping that their children would be protected by the caregivers.”
The Democrat mayor also expressed gratitude towards the New York Police Department for their thorough investigation into the baby boy’s death and the swift arrest of the two suspects.
According to police reports, first responders were called to Divino Nino Daycare in the Bronx’s Kingsbridge Heights Community on September 15 after receiving reports of cardiac arrest.
Upon arrival, officials discovered three children—two 2-year-old boys and an 8-month-old girl—who were unresponsive and showing signs of opioid exposure.
Fentanyl Found at Daycare
First responders administered Narcan to the three children, and while two of them—a 2-year-old boy and an 8-month-old girl—recovered, the one-year-old boy tragically passed away at Montefiore Hospital.
Furthermore, it was discovered that another child, a 2-year-old boy, had been taken home by his mother earlier in the day. However, the mother noticed that the child was acting lethargic and unresponsive, prompting her to rush him to BronxCare Hospital where his life was saved thanks to the administration of Narcan.
Police confirmed that all the children tested positive for fentanyl in their systems.
During the search of the daycare center, authorities found drug production equipment, including three-kilo presses commonly used for packaging large quantities of drugs.
Additionally, a kilogram of fentanyl was found in an area where the children took naps. It had been placed under a mat where the children had been sleeping earlier in the day, indicating that they likely inhaled the dangerous substance.
In addition to murder and manslaughter charges, Ms. Mendez and Mr. Brito are also facing charges of possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child.
‘Full National Assault’ on Fentanyl Needed
According to officials, Mr. Brito was a tenant renting a room from Ms. Mendez inside the daycare center. He arrived in the United States from the Dominican Republic around the same time the daycare center opened. The police, along with federal partners and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), are investigating the timing of the daycare center’s opening.
As part of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement officials are also seeking to speak with another person of interest.
“This is just total madness that we lost a child to this dangerous substance, and we almost lost three. We almost lost four children to this dangerous substance. There needs to be a full national assault on this drug entering our city. This is a new drug. This is not a new type of battle, and people need to understand this. This is not the marijuana on your tabletop, this is a dangerous drug that a small amount like this can kill an adult,” Mayor Adams emphasized.
“So, if you are handling this and you have it on your hands, you have it on your clothing and then you pick up your child, you’re exposing them to the potential of this danger,” he added.
Mayor Adams pointed out that neither Ms. Mendez nor Mr. Brito had prior arrests before their recent charges. He also mentioned that Ms. Mendez was acting as the caretaker of the daycare facility when the babies were discovered with symptoms of opioid exposure.
Police are continuing their investigation and are currently seeking to question Ms. Mendez’s husband.
In the meantime, Ms. Mendez’s attorney has claimed that she was unaware of the drugs being stored in her daycare center by Mr. Brito, who is reportedly her husband’s cousin.
During his client’s arraignment, attorney Andres Aranda stated, “Her only crime was renting her room to someone who had a kilo.
“There is no evidence that she did anything but care properly for these children,” the lawyer added.
How will the national assault on fentanyl and the increased resources from federal authorities contribute to combating the opioid crisis in daycare facilities?
A room in the daycare facility, while Ms. Mendez was an employee at the center. It is believed that the two suspects were involved in the production and distribution of fentanyl within the facility.
Mayor Adams has called for a “full national assault” on fentanyl, emphasizing the need for a coordinated effort to combat the opioid crisis that has claimed countless lives across the country. He stated, “This tragedy highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the fentanyl epidemic, not only in New York City but nationwide.”
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, has become a growing concern in recent years. The drug is often mixed with other substances, such as heroin or cocaine, increasing the risk of overdose. Its potency and prevalence have contributed to a significant increase in overdose deaths.
Mayor Adams called on federal authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice, to allocate more resources to combat the fentanyl epidemic. He emphasized the importance of cracking down on the production and distribution of the drug, as well as providing support and resources for individuals struggling with addiction.
“We need a comprehensive approach that includes law enforcement efforts, treatment and recovery programs, and education and prevention initiatives,” Mayor Adams said. “We cannot stand idly by while this deadly drug continues to devastate families and communities.”
In addition to the national assault on fentanyl, Mayor Adams has also pledged to strengthen regulations and oversight of daycare facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of children. He emphasized the need for stricter background checks and increased training for daycare providers to prevent tragedies like the one that occurred at the Bronx daycare facility.
The tragic death of baby
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
Now loading...