Pain into Purpose: Parents of 1-year-old who died at day care call for change
Nicolas was the youngest child of Zoila Dominici and Otoniel Feliz.
More Stories
A Kingsbridge family says it's been an unimaginable year since they lost their 1-year-old son. Nicolas Feliz Dominici died after police say he was exposed to fentanyl inside his day care back in September 2023.
"It's impossible to be happy any day because always everything around memories come back, and we always remember our son, we miss him, we want him back with us, but its impossible," said Otoniel Feliz, the toddler's father.
Nicolas was the youngest child of Zoila Dominici and Otoniel Feliz.
Their son had been attending Davino Nino Daycare on Morris Avenue in Kingsbridge for five days before he was exposed to the deadly drug, along with three other toddlers who were hospitalized.
Investigators found drugs and drug packaging equipment hidden in a trapped door under the playmats that the children napped on.
"As a mother that I have him, now I don't have him, it's difficult to imagine the rest of my life without him, I can't imagine the next years without him," said Zoila Dominici.
Feliz says they sought out advice for a credible day care in their Kingsbridge neighborhood, Davino Nino was recommended to them by the community center. The home day care facility passed a surprise visit by city health inspectors nine days prior to Nicolas' death.
RELATED: Medical examiner: Death of 1-year-old exposed to fentanyl at Kingsbridge day care deemed a homicide
The grieving parents have been calling for improved safety standards for daycare centers nationwide.
"We want these changes because this happened to my family, but I don't want this happening to any family in the city, even in the world," said Otoniel Feliz.
The Department of Health says they've added new training protocols to their child care inspection staff and now distribute naloxone, an opioid reversal, to day care centers across the city.
Feliz and Dominici have been working with Council Member Pierina Sanchez, and state leaders to get a package of bills passed that would enhance oversight of daycares on a state and federal level.
RELATED: Kingsbridge community marks 1 year since 1-year-old's death from fentanyl exposure at day care
