Grei Mendez, the owner of a New York City day care center, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug charges related to the death of a toddler who ingested fentanyl at her facility. Mendez’s husband, Felix Herrera-Garcia, had already been given the same sentence for his involvement in the crime. The couple stored and packaged narcotics in the day care center, where a 22-month-old child died after ingesting fentanyl in September 2023.
Mendez apologized to the families of the children who attended her day care and expressed remorse for the incident, stating it was an accident. The child’s parents spoke at the sentencing, with the mother saying forgiveness was not possible and the father expressing ongoing pain.
The judge cited the emotional impact of the crime, having experienced personal tragedy himself. He highlighted Mendez’s choice to prioritize her own family over the safety of the children in her care. Prosecutors argued for a lengthy sentence, noting Mendez’s failure to act on warning signs of illness among the children.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky emphasized the dangerous situation Mendez created for the infants at the day care, where a significant amount of fentanyl was hidden. The case underscores the devastating consequences of drug-related crimes and the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.
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