CT Mother Arranged For Stand-In To Pose As Dead Daughter In DCF Interview: Officials

CONNECTICUT — The state Department of Children and Families had a video call with a person they believed to be Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia in January - but police believe she had already been murdered.

Police have said they believe the victim died in the fall of 2024.

Officials indicated Friday they believe the victim’s mother, Karla Garcia, who is facing murder and other charges in connection with her death, was deliberately misleading them.

According to DCF, Karla Garcia claimed the person DCF was speaking to in January 2025 was her daughter, Jacqueline.

DCF’s last involvement with the family started in January 2025, due to a report about Jacqueline’s younger sibling. At the time, Karla Garcia told DCF personnel that Jacqueline was being homeschooled and staying temporarily out-of-state with a relative. DCF then conducted a video call with a person who (Jacqueline’s) mother claimed to be Jacqueline, DCF officials said.

The 12-year-old girl’s body was discovered Oct. 8 in a plastic storage container at an abandoned property at 80 Clark St. in New Britain.

Jonatan Nanita, Karla Garcia’s boyfriend, also faces murder and other charges. The victim’s aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, is facing risk of injury, intentional cruelty and unlawful restraint charges.

All three who were arrested are New Britain residents.

Susan I. Hamilton, interim commissioner for the state Department of Children and Families, said Friday the agency is reviewing its complete history with the family, and that review is ongoing.

DCF on Friday released the following initial, detailed timeline of its involvement with Jacqueline’s family:

• The Department received an initial report on the family in January 2013 when Jaqueline was born given that mother, Ms. Karla Garcia, was residing in a detention center. Jacqueline was placed in the care of a paternal relative, and legal guardianship was transferred to that relative shortly thereafter by the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters. Accordingly, DCF's case was closed in August 2013. Jacqueline remained under the legal guardianship of the relative for the next 9 years until May, 2022.
• While Jacqueline was in the care of her legal guardian, DCF also provided services to the family and Jacqueline's younger siblings from April 2014 through June 2016 and then again briefly in 2017 and 2021 following reports related to Jacqueline's younger sibling. Her younger sibling was also placed in the care of the relative in February 2016. During that period, the relative guardian allowed the parents to have regular access to the children.
• In 2022, Ms. Garcia and Mr. Victor Torres, Jacqueline's father, sought reinstatement of guardianship of both Jacqueline and her younger sibling in the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters. The court reinstated guardianship of both parents in May 2022 with support from DCF, the prior relative guardian and the child's attorney. The Department's recommendation was made after conducting a review of the family's history and current circumstances, an interview with Jacqueline and her sibling and an assessment of the parents' current ability to care for them at that time.
• DCF last interacted with Jacqueline during a subsequent investigation in September 2022 concerning her younger siblings. She and her siblings were determined to be safe at that time and were visible to the community. The school-aged children were enrolled in school, and the children's medical provider was contacted and did not express concerns. The Department provided in-home supports, and the family was involved with supportive housing. There was insufficient evidence to substantiate child abuse and neglect or seek removal of the children from the home in accordance with state law. Accordingly, the case was closed in November 2022.
• DCF had no further involvement with the family prior to Jacqueline's death, now believed to be two years later in the Fall of 2024. However, the children were enrolled in school and Jacqueline attended medical appointments in November 2022, November 2023, and May 2024. During that two-year period, the Department did not receive any reports of child abuse or neglect regarding the family. Jacqueline was not homeschooled during any period of DCF involvement. Ms. Garcia also filed for and was granted sole custody of Jacqueline and her sister by the Family Court in June 2024. DCF had no involvement in that proceeding.
• Our last involvement with the family commenced in January 2025, following allegations concerning Jacqueline's younger sibling. While it's now reported that Jacqueline died months earlier, Ms. Garcia stated at the time of our investigation that Jacqueline was being homeschooled and staying temporarily out-of-state with a relative. In response, DCF conducted a video call with a person who (Jacqueline’s) mother claimed to be Jacqueline. This information has been provided to Law Enforcement. Given that no additional concerns were noted, the Department closed the case in March 2025.

Police have said the victim was home-schooled, which limited the community’s ability to recognize she was missing.

Police believe her body was kept in the family’s basement and later moved when her family relocated from Farmington in March 2025.

The victim attended kindergarten through fifth grade in the Consolidated School District of New Britain, according to Superintendent Tony Gasper.

On August 26, 2024, which would have been Jacqueline’s first day of sixth grade, Karla Garcia filed an official “Notification of Withdrawal Out of New Britain School District” form, stating that the student’s new address would be in Farmington. On that same day, Garcia filed a “Notice of Intent: Instruction of Student at Home” form with the district.

DCF urges anyone who suspects child maltreatment to make a report to the Child Abuse and Neglect Careline by dialing 1-800-842-2288. The Careline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Callers to the Careline can remain anonymous.

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