Two charged in death of toddler at Morris Avenue day care

Two arrests have been made following the death of a 1-year-old boy and two unconscious children found at a Fordham day care center last Friday.

Around 2:40 p.m. police responded to a call about unresponsive children inside of 2707 Morris Ave. When they entered they discovered an unconscious 1-year-old boy, an unconscious 2-year-old boy, and an unconscious 8-month-old girl.

EMS took the three unresponsive children to Montefiore Medical Center where the 1-year-old boy, identified as Nicholas Dominici of Kingsbridge Heights, was pronounced dead. The 2-year-old was listed in critical condition. The 8-month-old was listed in stable condition.

A fourth child, a 2-year-old boy, was removed via private means to BronxCare Health System, police said, where he was said to be in stable condition.

Police found a kilo of fentanyl in a closet at the day care center and two kilo press devices, law enforcement sources told New York Daily News. This led police to believe the center, Divino Nino Daycare, was being used as a front for selling deadly opioid wholesale to other dealers, the news outlet reported.

On Saturday, the owner of the center, 36-year-old woman Grei Mendez was arrested by police from the 52nd Precinct alongside 41-year-old Carlisto Acevedo Brito. They are both residents inside the same building on Morris Avenue, just one building away from the day care center.

Both Mendez and Acevedo Brito were charged with murder (depraved indifference), manslaughter, assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance, including narcotics and endangering the welfare of a child.

State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, who represents the area, shared his reaction to the “horrific” incident.

“I am horrified by the heartbreaking loss of a one-year-old child in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood of my district,” he said in a statement. “I am deeply saddened for the parents and families, and I cannot fathom the pain they are experiencing.

“No parent should have to live in fear that their child might come into contact with harmful substances while under the care of a childcare facility.”

Police seek man who stole phone

The New York Police Department is seeking a man connected to a grand larceny incident that occurred in front of 6007 Broadway on Aug. 18.

Police received a report around 8:45 p.m. from a 42-year-old woman. While using her iPhone 11 outside of the Burger King on Broadway, her device was suddenly snatched out of her hands by a man on a moped. The man fled, traveling northbound on Broadway.

There were no injuries reported, however the woman’s stolen iPhone’s case included a wallet that contained both bank and credit cards.

The man was allegedly caught on surveillance footage using the woman’s credit card at Samuel Boutique at 188 Audubon Ave., purchasing about $500 in merchandise.

The alleged thief is described as a man with a dark complexion, medium build and short, black hair. He was last seen wearing a brown Pittsburgh Pirates baseball hat, a brown hoodie, and dark blue jeans.

Anyone with information can call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-8477. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at CrimeStoppers.nypdonline.org.

Car wash robbed at gunpoint

Unfortunately, even a car wash can’t be completely squeaky clean of crime. Khalle Hand Car Wash was the location of a robbery that resulted in $20,000 being taken on Sept. 15, police said.

A 32-year-old woman was sitting inside of 3418 Bailey Ave. inside the car wash office around 3 p.m. when two men wearing masks and gloves entered, with one of them pointing a gun, police said

The men apparently took $20,000 out of the woman’s purse, the woman told police, then fled in a blue car. There have yet to be any arrests and the 50th Precinct is investigating the incident.

Vehicle break-in

A 28-year-old woman reported her car broken into in front of 6375 Broadway at around 2 a.m. Sept. 12.

An unknown individual broke the rear driver side window of the woman’s 2022 Dodge Charger. However, no property was actually taken. The perpetrator fled the scene, the woman told police.

There have yet to be any arrests.