In New York City, Grei Mendez, owner of a day care center where a toddler died from ingesting fentanyl, pleaded guilty to federal drug charges including conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death. Her husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, was previously sentenced to 45 years in prison for similar charges. Mendez admitted to agreeing to possess and distribute drugs and helping her husband and another person package and store narcotics in the day care center. She expressed regret and acknowledged that she was misled into opening the day care, believing it was to help her, but realizing it was a front for her husband’s drug business. Mendez could face a minimum of 20 years in prison and up to life behind bars. Three other children exposed to the fentanyl survived after receiving Narcan. Investigations discovered a large quantity of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia hidden in the day care center’s play area, including a kilogram of fentanyl stored on children’s playmats. Mendez is also facing state charges of murder, manslaughter, and assault, to which she has pleaded not guilty. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams condemned Mendez’s actions, calling her conduct reprehensible and emphasizing the dangers of the fentanyl epidemic. Mendez’s lawyers have previously claimed she had no knowledge of the drug operation and suggested her husband was solely responsible.
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