I just want to apologize to the family of the children that I was caring for. They said that I never apologized, but I have apologized. In September 2023, a 22-month-old boy, Nicholas Dominici, died of exposure. Three other children also became ill. The four children were exposed to fentanyl at an at-home daycare named El Divino Niño on Morris Avenue. It was ran by 38-year-old Grei Mendez and her husband, 37-year-old Felix Edita Garcia. It was reported that the daycare was for children 6 weeks to 12 years old, and it had just passed a surprise visit from city inspectors the week prior with no violations found. During the initial investigation to cover all bases, the fire department tested the air for environmental hazards, and they did not find any evidence of carbon monoxide. The at-home daycare was later revealed to actually be a cover-up for their narcotics operation. Later, a trapdoor would be discovered hiding fentanyl beneath where the children took their naps. During the execution of a search warrant, one of the items discovered was a kilo press. "This is an item that is commonly used by drug dealers when packaging large quantities of drugs," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Investigators revealed that the children appeared to have been exposed over an extended period. Authorities also found a kilo of fentanyl in a closet and 12 more kilos of narcotics under a trapdoor. A kilo of fentanyl was found in a closet in the daycare apartment. And 6 kilos of fentanyl, heroin, and other controlled substances were found under a trapdoor in the floor under a padded mat where the children napped. >> A separate 2-year-old who was picked up by his mother around 12:15 p.m. that day was acting lethargic and unresponsive, according to her. The mother rushed him to the hospital and Narcan, an opioid reversal medication, saved the 2-year-old's life along with the mother's quick thinking. Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said the victims somehow came in contact with a powerful substance which can, through either inhalation, ingestion, or in touching of the skin, intoxicate the recipient. Officials said the children who stayed at the daycare ate something around 1:00 p.m. and took a nap. When workers went to wake them up at 2:30 p.m., three were unconscious. 22-month-old Dominiachi was pronounced dead at the hospital. Dominiachi had only started going to the daycare a week prior. A 2-year-old boy, Abel, was in critical condition. An 8-month-old, Kiara, Abel's sister, and another 2-year-old boy, Haziel, also had to be rushed to the hospital. Abel went into respiratory arrest but was revived at the hospital. His sister and Haziel were treated for acute opioid intoxication. These babies were used as shields to protect a narcotics operation. Nicholas' death was entirely, excruciatingly, needless, and avoidable. Mendez and Martinez were originally charged with murder, manslaughter, assault, and various drug charges. During the state's murder case, prosecutors said Mendez used the same kitchen tools to prepare the children's food and to process the fentanyl. But this case is different. Realize that the defendants poisoned four babies and killed one of them because they were running a drug operation from a daycare center. Mendez also did not call 911 right away. She first called her husband. Garcia removed the drugs before he fled the building with weighted plastic bags, according to prosecutors. In November 2025, Mendez and Garcia were convicted of second-degree murder and assault. Nicholas' mother wailed in court, [music] carrying the heavy heart of a family shattered and feeling betrayed. Every single day the lady on charge sent text [music] messages to my wife. We trust in she because she keep us updated on everything happened every single day on the daycare. In March 2026, the couple were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. They are already serving a 45-year sentence after they pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in connection with the case. The state's prison sentence will run concurrent with the federal sentence. In court as the parents of the boy address the couple responsible for the tragedy. Eyewitnesses reported Dollah Miles is live in the Melrose section of the Bronx with more on this story. Dollah. Well, David, the parents of Nicholas Dominici had a chance to address the two people convicted in their son's murder today, and those two people had a chance to apologize to the family today. But when you talk about how gut-wrenching and difficult this day was today, one thing can sum all of this up. The mother told the court, Zola Dominici says she cannot wait until the day that she dies until she can see her son again. And because he's not coming back, these two people should never get out of jail. Those 25 years to life plus those 45 years on federal court is enough time for who is expecting come out. They never going to come out. The parents of Nicholas Dominici leaving the Bronx Criminal Courthouse Wednesday afternoon, clinging to a large portrait of their son. We fight. We pray every day to wake up and have the power to be in standing on that courthouse. It's not easy. This uneasy final chapter in their 2 and 1/2 year nightmare in the fentanyl death of their 22-month-old son ending with the sentencing hearing for former daycare owner Grei Mendez and her husband Felix Enedina Garcia convicted of second-degree murder in the toddler's death. You should never never get out of jail. Zoila Domenici telling the court that Mendez and Garcia sitting with their hands cuffed behind their backs as the grieving parents described the day Nicholas died in September 2023. She says I see my heart bleeding from his mouth. The doctors did everything they could to bring him back to life, but it was too late. He had been dead for a while. On 2023 we celebrate my birthday. Two days later this happened. The couple sentenced 25 years to life in Domenici's death to run concurrently with a 45-year sentence on federal drug charges in this case. I just want to apologize to the family of the children that I was caring for. They said that I never apologized, but I have apologized. I [snorts] would like to say I'm sorry to the family. It is a measure of justice because now they are fully accountable. Drug charges in the federal system, murder charges, and and assault charges in the Bronx. And after everything was over, the proceeding was over, the sentencing hearing which lasted about an hour, uh the parents, the entire family in fact said they were headed to the gravesite to celebrate the sentencing uh where Domenici their two year two month old son is buried. Reporting live in the Melrose section of the Bronx, Darla Miles, Channel 7 Eyewitness News.