Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised. This story contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some readers discretion advised
Newly unsealed court documents reveal harrowing new details about the abuse police say 12-year-old Jacqueline Torres-García endured — and the alleged role her mother, Karla Garcia, played in her death. Among the most shocking revelations: investigators say they uncovered a photo that shows Jacqueline zip-tied and lying on a pee pad.
Here is a summary of the disturbing case involving Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-García, based on newly unsealed court filings and police statements. (Trigger warning: the following includes details of child abuse and death.)
Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-García, aged 12, was found dead in a container behind an abandoned house in New Britain, Connecticut on October 8, 2025.
Authorities believe she died in the fall of 2024 while the family was living in Farmington, Connecticut, and that her body was kept in the basement of their home until March 2025 when the family moved.
The mother, Karla Garcia, aged 29, and her sister, the victim’s aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, aged 28, along with the mother’s boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, aged 30, have been arrested in connection with the death.
The newly unsealed warrants and affidavits reveal additional horrific details:
The child was restrained with zip-ties as punishment, and at times forced to lie on pee-pads in a corner of a room. Boston.com+1
She was starved, The mother and boyfriend admitted they ceased feeding her approximately two weeks before her death. NBC New York+2Boston.com+2
There were no obvious recent traumatic injuries on the body, but she was severely malnourished. CT Mirror
The aunt reportedly sent the mother a photo of the child zip-tied and lying on pee-pads
The victim had been withdrawn from public school and was being homeschooled. The state’s child welfare agency, Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), conducted a video call with someone the family claimed was Jacqueline, but authorities believe the child had already died at that time. CT Mirror+1
DCF had previous investigations with the family (in 2022 regarding the younger siblings), but did not appear to detect the life-threatening abuse that led to Jacqueline’s death. CT Mirror+1
The homeschooling and lack of oversight are now under scrutiny: lawmakers and child advocates say this case “illustrates a known policy issue” of children hidden from public view. https://www.wfsb.com+1
Why this case matters
It highlights how isolated children, especially those homeschooled or removed from routine public oversight, can be vulnerable.
It raises questions about the child welfare system’s ability to detect and respond to severe abuse, especially when typical indicators (school attendance, external social contact) are missing.
It shows how abusers may use technology (e.g., a video call impersonation) to evade detection.
It underscores the need for legal and policy reform in how homeschooling is regulated and how welfare agencies investigate suspected child abuse in nontraditional settings.