In a tragic turn of events, a 22-month-old toddler lost his life after being exposed to fentanyl at a Bronx day care center. The child's father, Otoniel Feliz, tearfully held up a photo of his son during a press conference, expressing his grief and disappointment that instead of a graduation photo, he now has a reminder of his son's death. Feliz joined Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and other officials as they announced the indictments of the day care center's operator, Grei Mendez, her husband Felix Herrera Garcia, and Herrera Garcia's cousin Carlisto Brito on charges including murder and manslaughter.

According to Clark, the toddler, Nicholas Dominici, had spent only a few days at the Divino Ni?±o day care center when he tragically passed away on September 15th. The investigation revealed that not only was the day care center a front for a drug operation, but a kilogram of fentanyl was found in a closet within the facility. Furthermore, six kilograms of fentanyl, heroin, and other controlled substances were discovered under a trap door in the floor beneath a padded mat where the children would nap.

"This is a catastrophe," Clark exclaimed during the press conference. "Our sorrow is matched only by the outrage because these babies were used as shields to protect a narcotics operation." The other three children, aged 8 months to 2 years old, were also treated for fentanyl exposure.

All three defendants were arraigned and ordered to be held without bail. Mendez and Brito were arrested after the children showed signs of opioid exposure, while Herrera Garcia fled to Mexico and was later extradited to New York.

While Mendez's attorney, Andres Aranda, claimed his client had no knowledge of the fentanyl operation, Feliz expressed his deep sense of betrayal. He revealed that the day care center would regularly send him and his wife text updates and photos of their son, leading them to trust the facility.

Feliz thanked those working on the case but acknowledged that nothing could bring his son back. His words echoed the heartbreak and anger felt by the community. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for relentless efforts to remove drug traffickers from the city and protect its most vulnerable citizens.

The defendants not only face state charges but also federal narcotics charges. A fourth person, Renny Antonio Parra Parades, was also charged by Manhattan federal prosecutors for his involvement in the drug operation. The trial is expected to begin on December 19th, while the grieving father and the community continue to grapple with the devastating loss of a young life.