A man who concealed a stash of fentanyl beneath the floorboards of a Bronx daycare center has been sentenced to 45 years in prison following the tragic death of a toddler due to an opioid overdose. The defendant, who had previously pleaded guilty to drug charges and causing bodily harm, was held accountable for the death of 22-month-old Nicholas Dominici, who ingested fentanyl at the Divino Niño daycare in September 2023.
Fortunately, three other children who were exposed to the fentanyl were able to survive after receiving prompt medical attention and the administration of the overdose-reversing drug Narcan. The defendant, who had fled to Mexico following the overdoses, was apprehended after a two-week manhunt and admitted to storing fentanyl beneath the daycare's playroom floor, as revealed by prosecutors.
During the sentencing hearing, the defendant expressed remorse and extended his hope for forgiveness from the families of the affected children. He recounted playing with the children, attempting to save two of them, and staying until medical assistance arrived. Despite his regrets, nightmares about the tragic events continue to haunt him.
While the prosecution sought a life sentence, the judge ruled that the case did not constitute premeditated murder but rather exhibited a depraved indifference to human life, akin to manslaughter. The judge emphasized the severity of the offense, stating that it transcended typical manslaughter cases.
On the other hand, the defense argued for the minimum mandatory 20-year prison term. The defendant's wife, who was involved in operating the daycare, along with another individual, faces separate charges of murder, narcotics possession, and assault, with their cases currently pending.
