Fourth person captured near Mexican border in connection to Kingsbridge Heights infant’s fatal poisoning

A fourth person was charged Thursday with federal crimes in connection to the Sept. 15 death of a 1-year-old from the effect of fentanyl at a Kingsbridge Heights day care center.

Felix Herrera Garcia was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death in connection with the poisoning of four children under 3, including Nicholas Domenici of Kingsbridge Heights who died, according to a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court. The incident took place at Divino Nino day care center at 2707 Morris Ave.

Herrera Garcia was caught on survelliance camera carrying bags of what is believed to be the drugs and other paraphernalia out an alley behind the day care center after 911 calls were placed on Sept. 15, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office news release.

Herrera Garcia is in custody and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Berg in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York.

He was processed in a California court because he was captured by Mexican authorities this week after fleeing the day care center on Sept. 15, a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release stated.

“Let me be clear: when it comes to protecting our communities and seeking justice, there are no boundaries, no safe havens and no stones left unturned,” said federal Drug Enforcement Administration administrator Anne Milgram. “This case is a stark reminder of the evil we face.”

New York Police Department commissioner Edward Caban also gave a stark warning to those engaged in fentanyl drug mills.

“New York City law enforcement has a very long reach, and anyone who participates in the distribution of fentanyl in our communities will be held fully accountable,” he said. “Today’s charges reflect abhorrent criminality that will always be intolerable here, and the NYPD and our dedicated state and federal partners vow to investigate and arrest all those responsible.”

Herrera Garcia is the latest to be charged in Nicholas’ death at the center where police report fentanyl was stored near the sleeping children. The others facing both federal and city charges include Grei Mendez, the owner of the day care center and Herrera Garcia’s wife; Carlisto Acevedo Brito and Renny Parra “El Gallo” Paredes. The charges include manslaughter, murder, conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, endangering the welfare of a child and assault.