POLICE have arrested a man accused of helping to distribute drugs found in a New York nursery where a one-year-old died after being exposed to fentanyl.
Renny Antonio Parra Paredes, 38, is the third person arrested following the death of Nicholas Dominici this month.
Large quantities of narcotics were found in a search of the Bronx nursery.
Officials on Monday said they found a stamp during a search of the suspect’s home that was used to mark drug packages.
Mr Paredes is charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that Mr Paredes played a key role in an alleged drug trafficking operation being run out of the Divino Niño daycare centre.
Police were called to the centre on 15 September for a suspected drug overdose. Four children were found to have been sickened by the drugs, which were stored near where they slept.
Toddler Nicholas Dominici later died.
“Traffickers often hide contraband in inconspicuous or unsuspecting locations with no regard for the safety of others,” said DEA Special Agent Frank Tarentino in a statement announcing the newest arrest.
“In this case, the daycare’s floorboards were used as concealment, putting children’s lives at risk who innocently sat on the floor to play.”
