A woman who ran a day care center in New York City where a toddler died from ingesting fentanyl pleaded guilty to federal drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. Grei Mendez, 37, sobbed as she admitted to helping her husband and another person package and store drugs in the day care center, which was used as a front for their drug business. The couple’s Bronx apartment where they ran the day care center was found to have hidden fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, including a kilogram of fentanyl stored on children’s playmats. Three other children who were exposed to the fentanyl survived after receiving Narcan.
Mendez claimed that her husband encouraged her to open the day care center, but she quickly realized it was a cover for his drug operation. She now faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and up to life behind bars. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams called Mendez’s actions “reprehensible” and highlighted the dangers of the fentanyl epidemic, which puts innocent bystanders at risk. Mendez’s lawyers have maintained that she was not aware of the drug operation and have suggested her husband was responsible. Mendez has also been charged in state court with murder, manslaughter, and assault, to which she has pleaded not guilty. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3.
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