NEW YORK CITY, New York- A one-year-old boy lost his life, and three other children were hospitalized after they reportedly ingested fentanyl at a daycare in the Bronx. The tragic event unfolded on Friday afternoon at the Divino Nino Daycare, where emergency services were called following reports of cardiac arrest among the children.
The children had reportedly eaten and taken a nap before the incident occurred. The deceased one-year-old boy was declared dead at Montefiore Hospital. Among the hospitalized, a two-year-old boy is in critical condition, while an eight-month-old girl and another two-year-old boy are expected to survive.
Authorities are currently questioning a babysitter in connection with the incident, although it remains unclear whether the individual is an employee of the daycare. The investigation has so far ruled out the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak, but the suspicion of drug ingestion by the children is still being probed. It has been reported that the children were administered Narcan, which is a medication used to block the effects of opioids.
Mel Ramirez, a local resident, recounted the horrifying scene, describing the daycare owner’s desperate cries for help. Firefighters arrived at the scene equipped with breathing apparatus and decontamination kits. Ramirez described seeing unresponsive children being carried out of the daycare, a sight that has left the community in shock.
The incident has sparked a wave of concern among local residents. Shytisha Miller, a neighbor, expressed her distress, emphasizing the trust parents place in daycare providers. The daycare, known for its good reputation, is now under scrutiny as investigators work tirelessly to determine the exact cause of the incident. Anna Ortiz Irving, another neighbor, urged the community not to rush to judgment.