The bones of a 12-year-old girl who had been missing for a year were discovered in a container near a Connecticut home, and the child’s mother and two others have been charged in connection with her killing.
Officers from the New Britain Police Department were called to an abandoned building at 80 Clark St. on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in response to a report of suspicious conduct, according to New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, who spoke during a press conference on Monday, Oct. 13, which was posted on WTNH.com and reviewed by PEOPLE.
“As a mother, this makes me sick to my stomach to be standing here today,” Stewart told the crowd.
At the press conference, New Britain Police Chief Matthew Marino stated that officers discovered a huge container in the backyard containing what they thought to be human remains. The remains have been identified as those of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia.
According to Farmington Public Safety Director Paul Melanson, investigators decided that Jacqueline most likely died in the fall of 2024 while her family was living in Farmington.
“Evidence indicates that Jacqueline was the victim of prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment prior to her death,” Melanson told reporters.
The child’s body was hidden in a cellar until her family migrated from Farmington in March 2025, he claimed.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, Jacqueline’s mother, Karla Garcia, 29, was arrested and charged with a number of counts, including murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder with special circumstances, improper disposal of a dead body, and intentional cruelty to a child under the age of 19.
Garcia is being jailed under a $5 million bond.
Also on Sunday, Jacqueline’s aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, 28, was arrested and charged with intentional cruelty to a child under the age of 19, endangering a child, and first-degree unlawful restraint.
She is being jailed under a $1 million bond.
Jonatan Nanita, 30, Garcia’s boyfriend, was arrested on a felony arrest warrant on Monday, Oct. 13, according to a Facebook statement from the New Britain Police Department.
He and Garcia are accused of killing Jacqueline, according to police during the press conference.
Nanita is accused of bringing the container containing the girl’s remains to the Clark St. property on Wednesday, Oct. 8, according to the news conference.
Police are still investigating.
Police said Jacqueline was homeschooled.
The state Department of Children and Families (DCF) “was involved,” Stewart stated.
On Monday, Susan Hamilton, interim DCF commissioner, issued an amended statement, saying, “We can confirm Jacqueline’s siblings are safe and have been placed together in state custody.” We’ve already began a detailed analysis of our family history.
In a GoFundMe page set up to help with funeral expenses, the organizer stated that Jacqueline “was a bright, joyful 12-year-old who brought laughter and warmth to everyone around her.” She was usually smiling, enjoyed dancing, and had a great sense of humor. Jacqueline adored her siblings and was a natural caregiver, always looking out for people she loved.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453.
