Bronx daycare center where baby died from apparent fentanyl exposure was drug front

The Bronx daycare where a baby died and three other young children were hospitalized from suspected fentanyl exposure was reportedly being used as a drug front, police sources revealed to the New York Post.

36-year-old Grei Mendez De Ventura, the owner of Divino Nino Daycare where the alleged exposure occurred, and Caristo Acevedo Brito, 41, were both hauled from the 52nd percent on Monday, and both appeared in Bronx Criminal Court.

Mendez was later taken to Lincoln Hospital for a medical evaluation, and was listed in stable condition. Both suspects, who face charges including murder, are awaiting arraignment.

The two were issued 11 charges on Saturday, including murder, assault, and child endangerment, for the suspected fentanyl exposure death of 1-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici.

A pair of two-year-old boys and one of their sisters, eight, remain hospitalized after exposure to the drug. One of the boys remains in critical condition, while the girl is in stable condition. the other boy, who was taken to Bronxcare Health Systems, is in stable condition.

Law enforcement sources told the outlet that the children were reportedly exposed to the drug when it was cut in the daycare center, and some floated into the air, allowing them to inhale it.

Police have also launched a manhunt for Ventura’s husband, who lived next door with her and is wanted in connection to the child’s death.

Police responded to the child care center after 3:30 pm to find three of the children unresponsive. Some of the children were administered Narcan, an overdose-reversing drug.

"She started saying that the kids were dying, and then I saw one of the kids laying down and he wasn't responding, and then the lady came out with the other child trying to make him respond, but he wasn't responding," stated Mel Ramirez, a witness. 

Two of the children were reportedly in cardiac arrest when first responders arrived.

A search of an apartment used by the facility by police uncovered almost a kilo of fentanyl as well as a kilo press, an object often used to mix fentanyl with either cocaine or heroin, per responding officials.