BRONX (WABC) — The day care operators responsible for the fentanyl exposure death of a toddler in 2023 have been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Grei Mendez, 38, and Felix Herrera Garcia, 37, were sentenced on Wednesday for the murder of Nicholas Dominici by fentanyl poisoning.

It happened September 15, 2023 and the pair was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury last November.

The 22-month-old was one of four babies exposed to the drugs at the home day care that was masking a narcotics operation.

“A beautiful little boy died and three children aged eight months to two years became seriously ill from fentanyl poisoning,” District Attorney Darcel Clark said. “These babies were shields to protect a narcotics operation. Grei Mendez and her husband, Felix Herrera Garcia showed such depravity that they hid fentanyl under the floor where the children took naps. Little Nicholas paid with his life for their greed; now Mendez and Garcia will spend the rest of their days in prison.”

Mendez and Garcia are currently serving 45-year sentences in federal prison after their convictions for narcotics trafficking resulting in the death of Nicholas.

The state prison sentence will run concurrently to the federal sentence.

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