Grei Mendez De Ventura, the owner of a New York daycare where a 1-year-old boy died as a result of fentanyl, is charged with federal drug conspiracy

The owner of a New York daycare center where a 1-year-old boy died from fentanyl-related complications has been indicted along with her husband’s cousin on drug conspiracy charges.

Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the owner of Divino Nino Daycare, and her alleged accomplice Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, appeared in Manhattan court on Tuesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute of narcotics resulting in death.

Prosecutors said the couple “used the daycare’s façade to conceal their true operation: a fentanyl drug factory.”

Nicholas Feliz Dominici, a 1-year-old boy who had been at the center for just a week, died from possible fentanyl exposure. Three other children became ill and were hospitalized, one was in critical condition.

The drug duo reportedly cut up the drugs near the area where the children sleep. De Ventura was reportedly on the sidelines as her cohort stopped taking the opioid. Some fentanyl particles were thrown into the air and the children are believed to have inhaled the deadly drug, sources said.

Divino Nino owner Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, is seen outside the 52nd Precinct on Sunday after her arrest. She was charged Tuesday with one count of drug possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death and one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death

De Ventura’s alleged co-conspirator Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, (pictured) kept his head bowed as he left New York City’s 52nd Precinct after also being arrested in connection with the overdose

Pictured: Nicholas Feliz-Dominici, 1, died Friday after taking fentanyl at a Bronx daycare center

A third suspect is being sought in the arrest.

Da Ventura reportedly called several people before asking authorities to help the children. One of those people she reportedly called was her husband, who was described as the leader of the drug operation.

He’s still on the run. An NYPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that they are still searching for him and the investigation is ongoing.

Da Ventura, 36, opened the Bronx daycare earlier this year and passed a surprise inspection on Sept. 6.

The home daycare was registered with the city’s Department of Children and Family Services.

Nicholas Feliz-Dominicis gDistressed parents Zoila Dominici and Otoniel Feliz said the daycare was recommended by Kingsbridge Heights Community Center.

The heartbroken parents of five children tried to come to terms with the unexpected and tragic death of their youngest child.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Monday that police discovered “a kilogram of fentanyl in an area used to provide sleeping accommodation for the children.”

He further explained that the fentanyl was “under a mat where children had previously slept.” And explained that the area where the children allegedly slept was in a back room of the apartment.

Nearly a kilo of fentanyl and a kilo press, a device typically used to combine fentanyl with cocaine or heroin, were discovered, officials said.

Kenny said “One grain, two grains of fentanyl can kill an adult man, and even the residue would cause death in a small child.”

There have been no previous reports or complaints against Divino Nino Daycare.

However, a longtime neighbor said she never saw any children, either arriving or leaving the center.

“For a year it was a daycare center with no children. “For a year she had a daycare with no children, but people went in. “But no babies?” she said The New York Post.

She also said Da Ventura would not allow her own child to stay there.

“A daycare center with no children and men going in and out.” Yes, we knew something. We knew something wasn’t right there.’

“We all said, ‘Drogas.’ ‘How could you not know?’

She claimed that Da Ventura’s daycare became more crowded two months ago as she began having a few children, including a baby two months ago, and then two more children a few weeks before the tragedy.