Mother and Relatives Charged in Death of 12-Year-Old Girl Found in Storage Bin at Abandoned Connecticut Home

The mother of 12-year-old Jacqueline "Mimi" Torres Garcia has been charged with murder alongside her boyfriend and sister after the child's remains were discovered in a storage bin outside an abandoned Connecticut home.

Karla Garcia, 29, from New Britain, is being held on $5-million bail awaiting arraignment on multiple charges including murder with special circumstances and conspiracy. It remains unclear if she has legal representation.

Authorities report that Jacqueline suffered "prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment" prior to her death, which investigators believe occurred in fall 2023. Police discovered her remains last Wednesday after responding to reports of suspicious activity at an abandoned property.

Both Karla Garcia and her sister Jackelyn Garcia, 28, were arrested on Sunday. Karla's boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, 30, was apprehended Monday night. Witnesses reported seeing someone matching Nanita's description dropping off items and a large storage bin at the location, which prompted the initial 911 call.

Nanita faces similar charges to Karla Garcia, including murder with special circumstances and conspiracy. Jackelyn Garcia has been charged with unlawful restraint, risk of injury to a minor, and intentional cruelty to a person under 19 years old. She is being held on $1 million bail, with both sisters scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday. Nanita's court date remains unscheduled.

As of Tuesday, it was unknown whether either Nanita or Jackelyn Garcia had secured legal counsel.

New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino revealed during a Monday press conference that officers discovered the child's remains in an "advanced state of decomposition." While the exact time and location of death remain under investigation, authorities believe she may have died in fall 2023 while the family resided in nearby Farmington.

According to Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson, investigators believe Jacqueline's body was stored in the family's basement before they relocated to New Britain.

Due to the ongoing investigation, which Marino indicated could extend for months, additional details about the case have not been disclosed.