Girl, 12, Was Allegedly Abused and Malnourished Before Being Found Dead in Plastic Container — and Mom Is Charged By KC Baker

The remains of a 12-year-old girl who had been missing for a year were found inside a container near a Connecticut home — and now the child’s mother and two others are charged in connection with her death.

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, officers with the New Britain Police Department were called to an abandoned building at 80 Clark St. in response to a report of suspicious behavior, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 13, posted on WTNH.com and reviewed by PEOPLE.

“As a mother, this makes me sick to my stomach to be standing here today,” Stewart said.

In the backyard, officers discovered a large container with what was believed to be human remains, New Britain Police Chief Matthew Marino said at the press conference. The remains were identified as those of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia.

Investigators determined that Jacqueline likely died in the fall of 2024 when her family lived in Farmington, Farmington Public Safety Director Paul Melanson said at the press conference.

“Evidence indicates that Jacqueline was the victim of prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment prior to her death,” Melanson said.

The child’s body was kept in a basement and moved when her family relocated from Farmington in March 2025, he said.

On Sunday, Oct. 12, Jacqueline’s mother, Karla Garcia, 29, was arrested and charged with a slew 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, he said.

Garcia is being held on 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, risk of injury to a child and first-degree unlawful restraint.

She is being held on a $1 million bond.

Garcia’s boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, 30, was taken into custody on Monday, Oct. 13 on a felony arrest warrant, the New Britain Police Department said in a statement on Facebook.

He is accused of killing Jacqueline along with Garcia, police said during the press conference.

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Authorities allege that Nanita brought the container holding the girl’s remains to the property on Clark St. on Wednesday, Oct. 8, police said at the press conference.

Police are continuing to investigate.

Jacqueline was homeschooled, police said.

The state Department of Children and Families (DCF) “was involved,” Stewart said.

On Monday, Susan Hamilton, interim DCF commissioner, released an updated statement, saying, “We can confirm Jacqueline’s siblings are safe and have been placed together in state custody. We have already begun a thorough review of our history with the family.”

In a GoFundMe set up to help defray funeral costs, the organizer wrote that Jacqueline “was a bright, joyful 12-year-old who brought laughter and warmth to everyone around her. She was always smiling, loved to dance, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Jacqueline cared deeply for her siblings and was a natural caregiver, always looking out for those she loved.”

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.