Left inset: Karla Garcia (New Britain Police Department). Center inset: Jackelyn Garcia (NBPD). Right inset: Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres (GoFundMe). Background: The abandoned house in New Britain, Conn., where the remains of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres were found in a container outside (WTNH/YouTube).
A 12-year-old girl in Connecticut was abused and killed by her own mother, who teamed up with her boyfriend to hide and stow away her body for roughly a year in a “plastic storage bin” before dumping it at an abandoned house, cops say. The girl”s aunt has also been accused of taking part in the alleged abuse.
Karla Garcia, 29, is accused of murdering her daughter, Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres, with her boyfriend Jonatan Nanita sometime in the fall of 2024, according to local police officials, who announced her arrest on Monday night.
Torres, who was homeschooled, allegedly suffered “prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment prior to her death” and is believed to have been killed in the town of Farmington. Cops say Garcia and Nanita kept the youngster’s decomposing body “in the family’s basement” and then moved it after relocating to New Britain in March.
“In 35 years, this is one of the worst cases that we’ve had,” said Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson at a press conference. He was joined by New Britain Police Chief Matthew Marino and New Britain Mayor Erin E. Stewart, who described how Torres was found.
“On Wednesday, October 8th, when a report of suspicious activity at 80 Clark Street in New Britain came in from an anonymous caller requesting police, responding officers had no idea what they would be walking into,” Stewart told reporters.
“This caller reported suspicious activity at a known abandoned house in their neighborhood.” Stewart said. “This house had been vacant for over two years and it was owned and is owned by an out-of-state landlord from New York. None of those determined to be involved with this case have ever resided at this property.”
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Police believe that it was Nanita who was spotted dropping off the storage bin containing Torres’ remains, along with other items. They allege that when officers arrived on scene, they discovered the container behind the abandoned home. Torres’ body was in an “advanced” state of decomposition, per officials.
“Jacqueline likely died in the fall of 2024 while her family was still residing in Farmington,” Melanson explained. “Following her death, Jacqueline’s body was kept in the family’s basement and subsequently moved when the family relocated.”
Garcia and her sister, Jackelyn Garcia, 28, were both arrested on Sunday night, while Nanita was taken into custody on Monday. Karla Garcia faces charges of murder and child cruelty; Nanita is charged with murder and conspiracy; Jackelyn Garcia is charged with risk of injury to a child, unlawful restraint and child cruelty.
Police say Torres was living with her mother and being homeschooled, which led to her disappearance going largely unnoticed, per officials.
Torres’ father, Victor Torres, and her stepmother, Frances Melendez, told local CBS affiliate WFSB that they didn’t find out she was missing until January, months after investigators believe she was killed. Victor Torres said the last time he spoke to his daughter was on her 12th birthday, which was Jan. 29.
“This case is a deeply heartbreaking and disturbing case,” Melanson told reporters on Monday night. “Our detectives with our local and state partners have worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and to bring justice for Jacqueline. No child should ever have to endure such suffering.”
Local officials say they are still awaiting the results of Torres’ autopsy to determine an exact cause and manner of death.
Karla Garcia is currently being held on a $5 million bond, while Jackelyn Garcia is being held on a $1 million bond. Both were due in court on Tuesday to be arraigned. Nanita has yet to be given a court date.
