Bronx daycare scare: Police probe death and hospitalization, suspected opiate exposure

A tragic event unfolded in the Bronx, New York City, on Friday, September 15, when one child died and three others were hospitalized following an incident at Divino Niño Daycare. Local media suggest that fentanyl exposure may be involved, although official confirmation is pending. A two-year-old boy is in serious condition, while another two-year-old boy and an eight-month-old girl are stable.

Police Discover Equipment Related to Illegal Substance Manufacturing at Daycare

Reports indicate that during their investigation, the New York City Police Department discovered equipment commonly used in the production of illegal substances at the daycare facility. Police are also exploring the possibility that the children who were hospitalized, as well as the one who died, had been exposed to some form of opiate over a period of time.

Officials Comment on the Tragic Incident

Joseph Kenny, the New York Police Department’s Chief of Detectives, stated, “This is an item that is commonly used by drug dealers when packaging large quantities of drugs.” Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the city’s Health Commissioner, noted that authorities believe the children had somehow come in contact “with a powerful substance which can intoxicate the recipient.” Police Commissioner Edward Caban added, “We don’t know exactly what happened to those babies.”

Witness Accounts and Ongoing Investigation

A witness told CBS New York that they overheard daycare employees yelling and saw “unresponsive” toddlers on a mat inside the facility. One worker was reportedly shouting, “They’re dying, they’re dying,” while carrying a child outside. The circumstances surrounding the incident continue to be investigated by the police, as authorities seek to understand how these children came into contact with a potentially lethal substance.