In a case that has shocked the quiet communities of Connecticut, a mother broke down in tears during her court appearance after being charged with the murder of her 12-year-old daughter, whose decomposed remains were discovered stuffed inside a plastic storage container behind an abandoned home. Karla Garcia, 29, appeared in a New Britain courtroom, glaring at onlookers before succumbing to sobs as the gravity of the accusations against her unfolded. The tragic discovery of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres Garcia’s body on October 8, 2025, has unraveled a harrowing tale of alleged prolonged abuse, neglect, and a desperate cover-up involving Garcia, her boyfriend, and her sister. As investigators piece together the timeline, questions swirl about systemic failures in child welfare that allowed this young girl to slip through the cracks, leading to her untimely death and the concealment of her body for nearly a year.
Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres Garcia was remembered by family members as a bright, joyful child with an infectious smile. Born in January 2013, her early life was marked by instability. Due to her mother’s detention at the time of her birth, Mimi was placed in the care of her paternal grandmother, Patricia Delgado, where she spent the majority of her childhood. Delgado raised Mimi alongside her younger sibling, providing a stable home in New Britain. Family described Mimi as a happy girl who lit up rooms and enjoyed simple pleasures like family gatherings. However, as custody battles intensified, her life took a darker turn. Court records reveal a fractured family dynamic, with ongoing disputes between her mother, Karla Garcia, and her father, Victor Torres, over visitation and guardianship rights. Despite these conflicts, Mimi was eventually returned to her mother’s care, a decision that would prove fateful.
The timeline of Mimi’s short life is punctuated by key custody changes and missed opportunities for intervention. From birth until she was about 9 years old, Mimi lived with her grandmother under guardianship arrangements facilitated by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). In May 2022, her parents successfully petitioned for guardianship, with DCF’s support after assessing the family’s situation. This marked the beginning of Mimi’s transition to living primarily with her mother. By 2023, tensions escalated when Victor Torres filed a court complaint alleging that Garcia was not honoring their joint custody agreement, denying him access to his children. In response, Garcia sought and was granted sole custody in June 2024, solidifying Mimi’s placement with her.
Tragically, authorities now believe Mimi died in the fall of 2024, shortly after this custody shift, while the family resided in Farmington, Connecticut. The cause of death is attributed to prolonged physical abuse and severe malnourishment, conditions that left her frail and vulnerable. Instead of reporting her death or seeking help, investigators allege that Garcia, her boyfriend Jonatan Nanita, and her sister Jackelyn Garcia conspired to hide the body. For months, Mimi’s remains were reportedly stored in the basement of their Farmington home, concealed from the world. In March 2025, as the family relocated to New Britain, the body was transported and ultimately dumped in a large plastic storage bin behind an abandoned property on Clark Street. This grim hiding spot went unnoticed until October 8, when a tip about suspicious activity prompted police to investigate. Responding officers discovered the badly decomposed remains, launching a multi-agency probe that quickly pointed to foul play.
The arrests came swiftly in the days following the discovery. Karla Garcia was taken into custody on Sunday night, October 12, charged with murder under special circumstances, conspiracy, tampering with evidence, and other related offenses. She is being held on a $5 million bond. Her sister, Jackelyn Garcia, 28, faces charges of unlawful restraint, risk of injury to a minor, and intentional cruelty to a person under 19, with a $1 million bond. Jonatan Nanita, 30, Garcia’s boyfriend, was apprehended the following evening after initially evading capture. He too is charged with murder under special circumstances, conspiracy, and tampering with evidence. Court appearances revealed the emotional toll: Karla Garcia entered the courtroom amid supporters wearing memorial outfits for Mimi, but her composure cracked as proceedings began, leading to visible tears. Jackelyn Garcia was also seen crying, while Nanita appeared with facial injuries, possibly from an altercation during his arrest.
Investigators from the New Britain and Farmington police departments, with state assistance, have painted a picture of a calculated cover-up. No missing persons report was ever filed for Mimi, allowing her absence to go unquestioned for nearly a year. The family exploited homeschooling regulations—or the lack thereof in Connecticut—to explain her withdrawal from public school in August 2024. This move shielded her from mandatory attendance checks that might have raised alarms. An autopsy, despite the advanced decomposition, confirmed signs of chronic abuse and starvation, corroborating the theory of a slow, painful death. Police Chief Matt Marino of New Britain described the case as one that could take months to fully unravel, emphasizing the need to build a airtight prosecution.
A significant aspect of the investigation has centered on DCF’s role, revealing a series of interactions that critics argue failed to protect Mimi. The agency’s involvement began at her birth, placing her with her grandmother due to her mother’s circumstances. Over the years, DCF provided brief services in response to reports concerning younger siblings in 2014-2016, 2017, and 2021. In September 2022, an investigation into allegations of abuse or neglect involving the siblings found insufficient evidence, leading to case closure in November. Mimi was deemed safe, enrolled in school, and under medical care at the time.
However, red flags emerged in January 2025, months after Mimi’s presumed death. DCF received allegations about a younger sibling’s treatment and attempted to verify Mimi’s welfare. Karla Garcia claimed Mimi was homeschooling and temporarily staying with an out-of-state relative. A video call was conducted with someone purporting to be Mimi, satisfying the agency enough to close the case in March. Shockingly, authorities now believe this was an impersonation by another child, a deception that went undetected. This incident has fueled outrage, with lawmakers accusing DCF of inadequate scrutiny. Acting DCF Commissioner Susan Hamilton has initiated a thorough internal review, examining casework decisions, policy adherence, and collaborations with partners. The agency has since taken Mimi’s siblings into protective custody.
The family history adds layers of complexity. All three suspects have prior criminal records involving children: Karla Garcia for third-degree assault in 2018, Jackelyn Garcia for risk of injury to a child in 2022, and Nanita for reckless endangerment in 2020. Paternal family members, including Victor Torres and stepmother Frances Melendez, reported losing contact with Mimi around her 12th birthday in January 2025, unaware of her fate until notified by police. Patricia Delgado lamented the court’s decision to remove Mimi from her care, claiming Garcia blocked all access. The custody battles, documented in court filings, highlight a system where parental rights often trump extended family concerns, even amid warning signs.
The community response has been one of profound grief and anger. A makeshift memorial has sprung up at the abandoned home, with flowers, stuffed animals, and messages honoring Mimi. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, a mother herself, expressed disgust at the revelations, calling for accountability. The case has ignited broader debates on child welfare reforms, particularly the absence of oversight for homeschooled children in Connecticut. Over the past three years, thousands of children have been withdrawn from public schools for homeschooling, with no state monitoring to ensure their safety or education. Advocates point to similar past cases where isolation masked abuse, urging legislative changes to mandate wellness checks or registration.
Experts like retired NYPD detective David Sarnney have weighed in, criticizing overworked child services agencies and the prioritization of parental rights over child safety. He suggests that homeschooling loopholes, combined with insufficient follow-ups, create perfect storms for tragedy. Lawmakers, including co-chairs of the Children’s Committee, have demanded transparency from DCF, vowing to address systemic gaps. The Office of the Child Advocate, currently without a permanent head, is also launching an investigation into DCF’s handling and the role of homeschooling in concealing abuse.
As the legal process unfolds, with the suspects due back in court on November 14, the focus remains on justice for Mimi. Prosecutors are building a case around conspiracy, leveraging potential weak links among the accused to secure testimonies. The autopsy and forensic evidence will be crucial, despite the challenges posed by decomposition. For Mimi’s extended family, the pain is compounded by what-ifs: What if DCF had probed deeper? What if custody rulings had favored stability over reunification?
This heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities children face in dysfunctional homes and the urgent need for vigilant systems. In Connecticut, where resources for child welfare are stretched thin, Mimi’s death may catalyze change, ensuring no other child endures such silent suffering. Yet, as the outpouring of community support shows, her memory endures—a call to action against indifference and neglect.
