2 charged for infant death at Bronx, N.Y., day-care center

Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Two people have been arrested in the investigation into the death of a 1-year-old at a day-care center in the Bronx, N.Y.

Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, and Grei Mendez, 36, were arrested on Saturday night on charges of manslaughter, assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child.

The charges stem from the death of the infant and the hospitalization of three other children after suspected exposure to fentanyl at the day-care center, NBC News reports.

Officers reported to the daycare center on Friday afternoon where they found the 1-year-old unconscious and unresponsive. He was transported to Montefiore Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A 2-year-old boy and 8-month-old girl were also found unconscious and transferred to the Montefiore Medical Center. The boy was listed in critical condition and the girl in stable condition.

Another 2-year-old boy was hospitalized at BronxCare Health System in stable condition. He had been taken home by his parents before first responders were called the scene, according to CNN. His mother noticed him "acting lethargic and unresponsive" and brought him to the hospital.

First responders used Narcan on the three children that were at the scene.

"Tonight is every parent's worst nightmare," Edward caban, New York Police Department commissioner, said in a press briefing on Friday. "For now, there is one thing I do know. We should not be here. Those children do not deserve this.

Watch live as @NYCMayor, @NYCPC, & other city executives provide an update on an investigation in the Bronx 09-16-2023 https://t.co/BCTm612BPA— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) September 16, 2023