The mother of a 12-year-old girl whose remains were found last week in a storage bin outside an abandoned home in Connecticut has been charged in her death, along with her boyfriend and sister.
Karla Garcia, 29, of New Britain, was being held on $5 million bail and was expected to be arraigned on Tuesday. She faces numerous counts including murder with special circumstances and conspiracy. It's not known if she has retained an attorney.
The counts stem from the death of Jacqueline "Mimi" Torres Garcia, who authorities say suffered "prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment" before she was killed last fall. Police found her remains Wednesday in a container behind an abandoned home after they responded to reports of suspicious activity at the residence.
Karla Garcia and her 28-year-old sister, Jackelyn Garcia of New Britain, were both arrested Sunday. Karla Garcia's boyfriend, 30-year-old Jonatan Nanita — who authorities believe was the person seen dropping off several items and a large storage bin at the home which spurred the 911 call last week — was captured Monday night.
Nanita faces numerous counts including murder with special circumstances and conspiracy, while Jackelyn Garcia is charged with unlawful restraint, risk of injury to a minor and intentional cruelty to a person under 19 years old. She was being held on $1 million bail and was due to be arraigned Tuesday with her sister, while Nanita's initial court date has not been scheduled.
"As a mother, this makes me sick to my stomach to be standing here today," New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said at a news conference.
UPDATE: All three suspects arrested in connection with the murder of a 12-year-old girl are on the docket to face a judge today. https://t.co/wdDYZjvpjr pic.twitter.com/uMt9peoa08
— WFSB Channel 3 (@WFSBnews) October 14, 2025It wasn't known Tuesday if either Nanita or Jackelyn Garcia have retained attorneys.
Speaking Monday at a news conference, New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino said officers found the child's remains in an "advanced state of decomposition." Authorities are still working to determine when and where she died, but they say she may have been dead since last fall 2024 while her family was living in the nearby town of Farmington.
Police said they believe Jacqueline suffered prolonged abuse and malnourishment before her death, CBS affiliate WSFB-TV reported. New Britain's mayor said Jacqueline's last record of schooling was homeschool, which made it more difficult for people to know she was missing, according to the station.
Investigators believe Jacqueline's body was kept in the family's basement before they relocated to New Britain, Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson said.
Further details about the case have not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation, which Marino said could take months to complete.
The state Department of Children and Families issued a statement that said it has "already begun a thorough review of our history with the family," WFSB reported. The review "will include our knowledge about the family, supports provided, casework decisions, adherence to policy, as well as communication and collaboration with other system and community partners."
