Grei Mendez, the owner of a New York City day care center where a toddler died after ingesting fentanyl, pleaded guilty to federal drug charges. Her husband was previously sentenced to 45 years in prison for his involvement in the drug operation. Mendez admitted to conspiring to distribute narcotics resulting in death and acknowledged her role in packaging and storing drugs at the day care center, which she believed was used by her husband to conceal his drug business. Three other children exposed to fentanyl at the day care survived after receiving medical treatment. Investigators found a large quantity of fentanyl hidden in the children’s play area and other drug paraphernalia in the Bronx apartment where the day care was located. Mendez is facing a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and could potentially be sentenced to life behind bars. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams condemned Mendez’s actions as “reprehensible,” emphasizing the impact of the fentanyl epidemic on innocent bystanders. Despite Mendez’s lawyers claiming she had no knowledge of the drug operation and attributing responsibility to her husband, she has been charged in state court with murder, manslaughter, and assault, to which she has pleaded not guilty.
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Owner of Bronx day care pleads guilty to federal charges in toddler’s fentanyl death
