Deaths

Daycare Operator Grei Mendez Gets 45 Years for her Part in Fentanyl-Related Death of Nicholas Dominici

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Grei Mendez, 37, the operator of El Divino Niño Daycare Center in Kingsbridge Heights where one-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici died on Sept. 15, 2023 from fentanyl poisoning, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl out of the daycare center. The undercover drug operation resulted in the unintentional death of Nicholas, and the poisoning of three other infants who survived being unintentionally poisoned. As reported, Mendez had pleaded guilty in Oct. 29, 2024 in relation to her part in the operation before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who imposed sentence.  

UPDATE Norwood: Dr. Michelle Soto is New MD of Ambulatory Care at North Central Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx CEO Christopher Mastromano announced Feb. 24 that Michelle Soto, MD, MBA, FASAM, has been appointed medical director of ambulatory care at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx (NCB). Dr. Soto will oversee NCB’s many outpatient clinics in this role, including its pediatric, women’s health, primary care, and the medical and surgical specialties.

Op-Ed: The Impact of DOGE on Catholic Relief Services

By LOIS HARR
The Catholic News Agency reported on Jan. 31 that U.S. bishops have asked Catholics to reach out to their members of Congress and request the resumption of foreign aid programs following the Trump-Vance administration’s decision to temporarily pause funding for many programs, including those provided by Catholic Relief Services, pending review.

UPDATE Belmont: Two Arrested after 56-Year-Old Man Dies in Fatal Shooting on E 187th Street

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Police said two people have been arrested on various charges in relation to the killing of a 56-year-old man in Belmont. As reported, police launched a murder investigation after the 56-year-old victim died following a fatal shooting on Monday, Feb. 17, at around 6.21 p.m. Police said officers from the 48th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a male who had been shot in front of 717 East 187th Street.