Husband of New York City day care owner arrested in child's fentanyl death
NEW YORK -- There has been another arrest in the fentanyl-related death of a baby at a Bronx day care.
A fourth person was in custody Tuesday after being on the run for a week and a half.
CBS New York has learned suspect Felix Herrera-Garcia was arrested in Mexico while on a bus to the city of Culiacan, which is a hub for the most powerful drug cartel in the world.
Herrera-Garcia was last seen carrying bags out the back alley of Divino Nino Day Care on Sept. 15, after the babies inside were exposed to fentanyl.
"He thought he was gonna get away and he didn't, amen," neighbor Pamela Spice said.
"Thank God, thank God," Darlene Sanders added.
Investigators allege Herrera-Garcia's wife, Grei Mendez, called him before calling 911 as the babies showed signs of an overdose. One-year-old Nicholas Dominici died and three other babies were hospitalized.
Police have already arrested Mendez, Herrera-Garcia's cousin, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, and an alleged associate, Renny Paredes.
Federal authorities claim the four were operating a drug ring out of the day care and have found large quantities of narcotics hidden under the floor boards.
"It would be indicative of a larger-scale steady distribution network that built up customers and clients and has resources and connections to Mexico," said Ray Donovan, retired chief of operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
READ MORE: Yale researcher finds alarming nationwide rise in child fentanyl deaths
Donovan said Herrera-Garcia attempting to go to Culiacan was significant, because it's the main operational center for the Sinaloa cartel.
"That cartel is the largest producer, manufacturer and trafficker of fentanyl to the U.S.," Donovan said, adding, "It tells me he was going there for protection. So it made sense for him to take a bus to lay under the radar and go directly into Culiacan to lay low for a period of time."
Sources said U.S. and Mexican authorities worked together on the arrest and the extradition process will now begin.
