TRAGIC UPDATE 💔 The father and grandparents of 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia say they lost contact with her more than a year before the tragic news broke, with all messages being returned, and now they’re questioning why a family with a wide network of acquaintances wasn’t notified sooner — a backstory that has the entire community shuddering.

The mother and the aunt of a 12-year-old girl whose remains were found in a plastic bin behind an abandoned home in New Britain last week are due in court on Tuesday.

The mother’s boyfriend is also in police custody after he was detained on Monday night, according to police. It is not clear if he will also appear in court on Tuesday.

Police found the remains of 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia in a plastic storage bin last Wednesday while responding to reports of suspicious behavior behind 80 Clark St. in New Britain.

The body was in an advanced state of decomposition and police think that the little girl had been dead for around a year.

Police believe she died in the fall of 2024 while her family was living in Farmington and her body was kept in the family’s basement, then moved when the family relocated from the town in March 2025.

Officials said there was evidence to suggest that Jacqueline had been the victim of prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said the last known schooling for Jacqueline was homeschooling and police said that limited the community’s ability to recognize that she was missing.

Jacqueline grandfather, Felix Osorio, said he hasn’t physically seen his granddaughter in two years and the mother would always make excuses to his son – the father – about why his granddaughter couldn’t FaceTime him.

Farmington schools released a statement on Monday night.

“It is with profound sorrow to learn that the remains of a young child found outside an abandoned house in New Britain belonged to Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, whose family previously resided in Farmington. While Mimi was homeschooled by her mother and never enrolled in the Farmington Public Schools, this tragic and heartbreaking news affects our entire community, our neighboring community, New Britain, and beyond. We extend our deepest sympathy to Mimi’s loved ones and friends both near and far,” the statement says.

Jonatan Nanita (left), Karla Garcia (middle) and Jackelyn Garcia (right).

Jacqueline Torres-Garcia’s mother, 29-year-old Karla Garcia, was arrested on Sunday, police said.

She has been charged with murder with special circumstances, intentional cruelty, conspiracy to commit murder with special circumstances, unlawful restraint in the first degree, risk of injury to a child, tampering with physical evidence and a violation of disposal of a body.

Her bond was set at $5 million.

More about the case

You can find more about the case from prior coverage.

Grandparents of 12-year-old girl found dead in Connecticut are processing loss

New Britain 10 hours ago

Karla’s boyfriend, 30-year-old Jonatan Nanita, was taken into custody on Monday night, according to New Britain police. Police said during a news conference on Monday that his bond would be also set at $5 million.

He faces charges including murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder with special circumstances, risk of injury to a child, unlawful restraint in the first degree, intentional cruelty to a child under 19, improper disposal of body and tampering with physical evidence.

Jacqueline Torres-Garcia’s aunt, 28-year-old Jackelyn Garcia, has been charged with unlawful restraint in the first degree, risk of injury to a child and intentional cruelty. Her bond has been set at $1 million.

The warrants are sealed and police called this one of the worst cases that they have seen.

“This is a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case. Our detectives, along 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,” New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino and Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson said in a statement.

The cause of Jacqueline Torres-Garcia’s death is pending further studies, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

DCF Involvement

The Department of Children and Families said they have started a review of their history with the family.

Officials said it will look into their knowledge about the family, supports provided, casework decisions, adherence to policy and communication and collaboration with other system and community partners.

“Our hearts remain with all those impacted by Jacqueline’s tragic and shocking death. The Department is invested in being as transparent as possible about the family’s prior DCF involvement without interfering with the active and evolving criminal investigation,” DCF said in a statement on Monday.

DCF officials said Jacqueline’s siblings are safe and have been placed together in state custody.

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Farmington schools released a statement on Monday night.

“It is with profound sorrow to learn that the remains of a young child found outside an abandoned house in New Britain belonged to Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, whose family previously resided in Farmington. While Mimi was homeschooled by her mother and never enrolled in the Farmington Public Schools, this tragic and heartbreaking news affects our entire community, our neighboring community, New Britain, and beyond. We extend our deepest sympathy to Mimi’s loved ones and friends both near and far,” the statement says.

Jonatan Nanita (left), Karla Garcia (middle) and Jackelyn Garcia (right).

Jacqueline Torres-Garcia’s mother, 29-year-old Karla Garcia, was arrested on Sunday, police said.

She has been charged with murder with special circumstances, intentional cruelty, conspiracy to commit murder with special circumstances, unlawful restraint in the first degree, risk of injury to a child, tampering with physical evidence and a violation of disposal of a body.

Her bond was set at $5 million.

More about the case

You can find more about the case from prior coverage.

Grandparents of 12-year-old girl found dead in Connecticut are processing loss

New Britain 10 hours ago

Grandparents of 12-year-old girl found dead in Connecticut are processing loss

Karla’s boyfriend, 30-year-old Jonatan Nanita, was taken into custody on Monday night, according to New Britain police. Police said during a news conference on Monday that his bond would be also set at $5 million.

He faces charges including murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder with special circumstances, risk of injury to a child, unlawful restraint in the first degree, intentional cruelty to a child under 19, improper disposal of body and tampering with physical evidence.