Mother Arrested In Slaying Of 12-Year-Old Girl Whose Body Was Found In New Britain: PD

NEW BRITAIN/FARMINGTON, CT — The mother of 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, whose body was discovered Wednesday in a container at an abandoned property in New Britain, has been charged with murder.

Police on Monday announced the arrests of two people Sunday in connection with the case, while a search is underway for a third individual.

Karla Garcia, 29, of New Britain, the girl’s mother, was charged Sunday with murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder with special circumstances, first-degree unlawful restraint, risk of injury to a child, tampering with physical evidence, intentional cruelty to a child under age 19, and violating the requirements for the disposal of a dead body.

Police said they have a warrant for the arrest of Karla Garcia’s boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, 30, for the same charges.

Jackelyn Garcia, 28, of New Britain, who is Karla Garcia’s sister, or the victim’s aunt, has been charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, risk of injury to a child, and intentional cruelty to a child under age 19.

The two women are due to be arraigned on Tuesday in Torrington.

New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino said the department expresses its condolences to all of those impacted by the tragedy.

“Our goal is to seek justice for Jacqueline,” he said, during a press conference Monday.

The girl’s remains were found Wednesday in a plastic storage container at 80 Clark St. in New Britain.

Police were dispatched around 1 p.m. on Oct. 8 to investigate a report of suspicious behavior at the vacant property, specifically someone at the rear of the property dropping off items, including a storage container.

Police found the body in the container, which was in the backyard along the fence line.

The Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner conducted an investigation, and concluded the victim likely died in the fall of 2024 while her family was residing in Farmington, according to Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson.

According to Melanson, investigators concluded the girl suffered “prolonged physical abuse and malnutrition before her death.”

The medical examiner’s office said Monday the cause of death is “pending further studies.”

Police believe that after the victim’s death, her body was kept in the family’s basement and subsequently moved when her family relocated from Farmington in March 2025.

“This is a deeply heartbreaking and disturbing case,” Melanson said. “No child should have to endure such suffering. She died a long time ago and was stowed away.”

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

Arrest warrants are currently sealed, and police are asking the public to come forward with any information they may have in the case. Police are also asking for the community’s assistance in locating Jonatan Nanita.

According to police, investigators have been working “tirelessly” to uncover the truth since the child’s body was discovered.

Anyone with information is asked to contact New Britain police at 860-826-3131 or Farmington police at 860-675-2460.

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