The murder of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia | Full investigation timeline

Three people, including the girl’s mother and aunt, face charges in Mimi’s death, sparking calls for “Mimi’s Law” for better oversight of homeschooled children.

In June of 2024, a woman named Karla Garcia moved into a condominium complex in Farmington with her boyfriend and four children.

On Sept. 29, 2024, a neighbor called Farmington police. They reported hearing “loud noises and arguing” coming from Karla’s condo, and an unknown woman threatening to “break someone’s neck,” according to police records.

On Dec. 29, 2024, Farmington police were once again contacted by concerned neighbors. Officials said the neighbor heard someone screaming and heard something “heavy” fall. They then heard someone — possibly Karla — yell something to the effect of “stop” or “don’t.”

When police arrived at the condo in the Wellington complex that night, they spoke with Karla. According to police records, Karla told them she was frustrated with cleaning the place. She was in the third trimester of her pregnancy with her fifth child.

As officers stood inside and spoke with Karla, her eldest child, Jaqueline Torres-Garcia, was believed to be dead in the basement right below their feet.

What follows is a timeline based on arrest warrants, affidavits, and body camera video released to date in the investigation of what happened to Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia. 

The timeline is based on the suspects’ statements from police interviews and preliminary investigation findings. Some names have been redacted. 

The details in this case may be disturbing to read. Reader discretion is advised. 

October 8, 2025

The New Britain Police Department was contacted by two anonymous people who said there was a possible dead body on a property on Clark Street.

Officers got to the property around 1 p.m. to investigate. Two blocks away was an apartment building on Tremont Street that Karla and her children moved into with their aunt, Jackelyn.

Later in the investigation, detectives will learn from anonymous neighbors that a foul odor emanated from the back of the Tremont Street property, near the garbage cans and the property line that connected to homes on Bartlett and Lawlot Streets.

Another anonymous neighbor said their husband and babysitter noticed a foul odor coming from an Acura MDX in late September.

None of the neighbors could determine where the smell was coming from, according to investigators.

But now, back on Clark Street, New Britain officers continued to search the property. It was then that they discovered a 40-gallon plastic tote bin.

Inside was a multi-colored comforter, garbage bags, and the remains of a human being. The remains were in an “advanced stage of decomposition,” according to police.

Officials spoke with the tipsters, who we’ll identify as Witness 1 and Witness 2, as the investigation into the remains was launched. They wanted to learn where the two had learned that there may have been a body at the property.

They told police they knew someone close to one of the suspects, Jonatan Nanita. This person, Witness 1, told the complainants that she was with Nanita when the tote bin was moved from the Tremont Street property to Clark Street. Witness 1 mentioned to them that the tote may have contained a body.

The tipsters then provided police with a photo of the same Acura MDX, which investigators later learned neighbors had previously smelled a foul odor. They said that this Acura was used to drop off the tote on Clark Street.

Witness 1 spoke with police and said Nanita picked them up in the Acura on either Sept. 29 or 30, and that the suspect told Witness 1 he needed to “pick something up.”

From there, the suspect drove to a nearby cemetery off Stanley Street. He picked up a tote and drove over to Clark Street, where Nanita removed it and placed it on the property.

Witness 1 told police that, indeed, the tote smelled bad and that, after thinking about it, they believed that the tote could have contained a body and told their friends.

And the friends went to the police.

As investigators were canvassing Tremont Street that day, Nanita came up to them expressing that he wanted to “clear his name” and that he “didn’t do any of this,” according to his arrest warrant.

He was then brought to the New Britain Police Department’s headquarters for the first of two interviews.

Jonatan NanitaNew Britain police’s first interview with Nanita on Oct. 8

The first interview with Nanita happened the same day the remains were found. At the time of his interview, an autopsy had not been done on the remains found, and “Mimi’s” identity was not confirmed.

The interview was conducted by Officer Korwek of the New Britain Police Department and began around 8:20 p.m.

According to Nanita’s arrest warrant, Nanita initially started the interview by providing some background on his relationship with Karla, “Mimi’s” mother.

Nanita said he and Karla had been dating for seven years and had three children together. They moved from Farmington to the Tremont Street apartment at the beginning of the year, and Karla had kicked him out in August. According to Nanita, he was homeless at this time.

Karla had two other children with another father, “Mimi” was the oldest, and a younger sister, but only the younger sister lived with the family on Tremont Street.

Nanita told police in this interview that he had not seen “Mimi” in two years, and didn’t know where she was staying, according to the arrest warrant.

Nanita then confirmed his relationship with Witness 1, but when asked by Korwek about the bin, Nanita initially denied moving any bin. He also said that the Acura was Karla’s vehicle, that she had the key, but that he’d be allowed to use it.

Later in the interview, Nanita discussed the tote bin. According to the arrest warrant, Nanita stated that two weeks prior to this day, Karla had instructed him to move the bin.

It was then that Korwek asked Nanita who was in the bin, and Nanita stated that at first he did not know, but when the officer asked if Nanita knew it was “Mimi” in the bin, he reportedly nodded yes.

When asked where Nanita got the tote bin, he stated it was in the back of the Tremont Street property next to the garbage. Nanita reportedly stated that he didn’t look inside the bin at all and that Karla asked him to move it, suggesting he put it around Clark Street.

The officer asked Nanita whether he had first tried the cemetery off Stanley Street, and, according to the warrant, Nanita said he had not. But he then corrected himself, saying he did go to the cemetery with the bin but didn’t know where to put it.

According to Nanita, it was after he moved the bin that Karla began “calling him a snitch.” He stated that Karla never confirmed that “Mimi” was in the bin, but that she “would give him hints.”

He eventually suggested during the interview that Karla may have killed “Mimi,” according to the warrant.

Nanita said that after he was released from prison, he walked into the Wellington condo and saw blood on the walls and going up the stairs. At the time, Karla’s sister, Jackelyn, was living there as well. The time this happened was not stated in the arrest warrant.

Nanita told the officer that he asked the women what was going on, “freaked out, and left.” The day after, the blood was reportedly cleaned, according to Nanita.

Korwek then asked Nanita how he knew it was “Mimi,” and Nanita stated he had not seen “Mimi” since the blood on the wall. The time this happened was not stated in the arrest warrant.  Nanita told Korwek that he didn’t know what happened to “Mimi” until he moved the bin, and that he got no explanation regarding the blood on the wall or what happened to “Mimi.”

According to the arrest warrant, Nanita maintained that he did not know what happened to “Mimi” throughout the interview, and only that Karla, Jackelyn, and the kids were present in the condo.

Korwek then circled back to the tote bin, asking him how long it had been outside Tremont Street. According to the warrant, Nanita stated he “didn’t know” and did not notice it inside or outside before he moved it. When asked how it smelled, Nanita reportedly said, “Not good.”

Nanita then said Karla helped him load the bin into the Acura and that he left to meet up with Witness 1. After driving around the cemetery, he couldn’t find a place to hide the bin, so he moved it to Clark Street instead.

This interview ended at 8:31 p.m.

Karla GarciaNew Britain police’s first interview with Karla Garcia, the mother to “Mimi” on Oct. 8.

Det. Mordasiewicz was assigned to interview Karla, but according to the arrest warrant, he could not find her. Det. Mordasiewicz tried several times to call her and to see her at her Tremont Street home or other relatives’ homes to no avail.

At this point, New Britain police were growing concerned about the safety and well-being of Karla’s four other children, who ranged in age from 9 months to 11 years.

While investigators tried to find Karla, patrol officers saw a Lexus driving erratically in the area where Karla was last reported to be.

Police pulled the car over, and Karla and Jackelyn were inside.

Karla was brought to the police department, and her first interview began around 10:30 p.m. with Mordasiewicz.

The interview began with Karla confirming she lived at Tremont Street with Jackelyn, “Mimi,” and her four other children. She also confirmed that she used to live at the Wellington condo in Farmington with the same people, with the addition of Nanita.

Mordasiewicz asked Karla where her children were, and Karla said they were with a cousin at another residence in New Britain.

The interview moved on, and Karla went on to explain how she and Nanita broke up nine months prior and that Nanita was abusive, according to the warrant. Karla stated that Nanita had hit her in the past, but she was too afraid to report it to the police.

Karla then told Mordasiewicz that Nanita had last lived with her in Farmington, but that he still had personal property at the Tremont Street home. According to Karla, Nanita would come and go freely regarding his residency there, and the last time he stopped by was that morning (Oct. 8).

Mordasiewicz then circled back and advised Karla that police had gone to her cousin’s house to find the children and that all were accounted for, except for “Mimi.”

Karla reportedly acted “surprised” at that and repeatedly asked, “What do you mean?” according to the warrant.

Karla went on to say that all of her kids were supposed to be at the cousin’s house and confirmed they were there when she left. When asked if “Mimi” could have been with a friend or dropped off elsewhere, Karla reportedly said no.

Mordasiewicz then told her that, actually, the children were with Karla’s other sister at a different address, but that “Mimi” was still unaccounted for. According to the warrant, Karla again acted “surprised.”

It was then that Mordasiewicz told Karla that Nanita had told detectives what had happened earlier with the tote bin.

The warrant states that Karla appeared “confused and asked what had happened.”

Mordasiewicz told Karla that no one had seen “Mimi” for over a year, and that he believed her body was the one in the tote.

According to the warrant, when asked what happened, Karla initially denied knowing. But, she then said it was Nanita, and that she was afraid to tell the police because she believed Nanita would kill her or her children.

As the interview continued, Karla reportedly continued to deny knowing what happened to “Mimi,” insisting that Nanita would know.

Karla told Mordasiewicz that the last time she saw “Mimi” was when Nanita “took her” around eight months prior, when they were all living in Farmington. According to the warrant, Karla stated Nanita did not like “Mimi” because she was making her (Karla) depressed due to “Mimi’s” frustration that Karla was pregnant again with another one of Nanita’s children.

Karla’s story to the police was that “Mimi” threw Karla down a flight of stairs when they were living in Farmington. Garcia explained that she was six months pregnant at this time (around September or October 2024).

After falling down the stairs, Karla told Mordasiewicz that she was injured in her legs, and the injuries lasted for two weeks, causing her to be bedridden. According to the warrant, Karla stated that Nanita helped her back upstairs and that she was unable to walk or use the bathroom without help.

Karla reportedly told Mordasiewicz that she never saw “Mimi” again, and that whenever she asked Nanita where “Mimi” was, Nanita told her not to ask. At this point, Karla insisted to Mordasiewicz that “it was not her fault and she didn’t know what had happened,” according to the warrant.

According to Karla, she “wonders every day” if “Mimi” is still alive and explained that she’s in fear for her (Karla’s) life, her children’s lives, and that Nanita stalks her.

The interview pivoted to ask if “Mimi’s” sister, with whom they share a father, ever asked where “Mimi” was. According to the warrant, Karla said the sister was “scared” but never asked where “Mimi” was. Karla also explained that “Mimi” didn’t like her (Karla) because of the father’s family, accusing them of pitting “Mimi” against Karla and trying to keep “Mimi” away from her.

Mordasiewicz then told Karla that Nanita told detectives what had happened, and Karla reportedly said that Nanita was lying.

Mordasiewicz followed that up by asking if Nanita had killed “Mimi,” to which Karla said yes, explaining that during the incident on the stairs, “Mimi” also fell down the stairs and that Nanita stomped on her head. According to the warrant, Karla stated there was some blood, but “Mimi” was still moving, so Nanita picked “Mimi” up and “threw her down the stairs” that led to the basement.

Karla claimed she did not know what happened after, but that Nanita later told her that he put “Mimi” in a bag and that he was dealing with it.

According to Karla, as stated in the warrant, she did not tell anyone because she was afraid of Nanita, who had threatened to kill her through text messages.

Karla reportedly tried to show the messages to Mordasiewicz, but did not produce any.

The warrant states that Mordasiewicz “expressed disbelief” at Karla’s story, but Karla continued to discuss the incident. Karla reportedly said that whenever anyone asked about “Mimi,” she would respond, “She’s not here.”

By the end of the interview, Karla ultimately denied any involvement in “Mimi’s” death or what happened to her remains, and continued to blame Nanita.

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It’s worth noting that Jackelyn was also at the police station as detectives attempted to interview her, but the interview was short and/or not detailed and summarized due to Jackelyn’s reported level of intoxication. She would be brought back the following day for another attempt.

October 9Nanita denies allegations, an autopsy provides further information

Credit: WTIC

Nanita was brought in for a follow-up interview with Officer Korwek around 12:45 a.m., after the interview with Karla.

Korwek told Nanita what Karla had stated during her interview, how Karla accused Nanita of killing “Mimi.” According to the warrant, Nanita denied any responsibility and said he would “never hurt a child.”

Korwek reportedly went on to detail Karla’s allegations, and Nanita again denied them, maintaining he was telling the truth.

During this interview, Nanita reportedly agreed to provide a buccal DNA sample for the investigation.

This interview was done by 1:09 a.m.

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Around 9:30 a.m., the Farmington Police Department was contacted by Inspector Forrest Beaulio of GA-18 (Torrington) that the remains had been found in New Britain and may have been “Mimi’s.”

Farmington detectives and investigators met with several New Britain Police Department officers. New Britain investigators identified Karla, Jackelyn, Nanita, the birth father of “Mimi” and her younger sister, and the children Karla had with Nanita.

Because of the family’s connection to Farmington and what Karla and Nanita had said in their interviews the night before, the investigation now involved both departments.

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The autopsy of the remains happened around 9:30 a.m. at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

“Mimi’s” body was in the tote bin with a multicolored comforter, bed sheets, and garbage bags, all with a strong ammonia smell. Investigators said in the warrant that they believed the chemicals were used to preserve the body and/or mask the odor.

The body weighed 26-27 pounds, and the medical examiner said that the condition of “Mimi” was due to severe malnourishment, not decomposition.

According to the warrant, the medical examiner did not find any signs of trauma or injuries to the body that would have contributed to “Mimi’s” death, nor did the medical examiner find any signs of internal bleeding.

Later in the afternoon, the medical examiner called Det. O’Connor, with the New Britain Police Department (who was present earlier at the autopsy), confirmed that the body was “Mimi” by comparing post-mortem x-rays with those provided by the hospital taken before “Mimi’s” death.

While further studies were needed to lock down the cause and manner of death, the medical examiner provided a preliminary medical opinion that “Mimi” died of severe and prolonged malnourishment.

Due to the lack of fat on the body and the ammonia, it was difficult to determine how long “Mimi” had been dead, but the medical examiner stated it could have been a year.

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Additionally, on this day, Farmington police investigated the Wellington condo where Karla and Nanita resided and confirmed that they had lived there from June 2024 to March 2025.

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Farmington Det. Hopkins attended an interview with “Mimi’s” younger sister (the one who shared a biological father) at a family center. The sister was in the custody of Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families (DCF).

According to the warrant, the sister made no disclosures regarding any incidents of abuse in the home, and she did not acknowledge the existence of “Mimi,” only her younger half-siblings.

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Farmington investigators returned to the New Britain Police Department, where second interviews were being held with Karla and Jackelyn.

RELATED: DCF releases timeline of involvement with New Britain family accused in death of 11-year-old

Jackelyn GarciaThis is the second interview done with Jackelyn Garcia, “Mimi’s” aunt.

Jackelyn’s interview began around 7:40 p.m. with Det. Hertzler at the New Britain Police Department.

Before this interview, Hertzler previously interviewed someone Jackelyn lived with for three months in New Haven at the end of 2024. This person, Witness 2, voluntarily contacted the police after seeing the news of the remains that were found. 

According to the warrant, Witness 2 stated that Jackelyn showed them a photograph of “Mimi,” who looked malnourished and was restrained with zip ties (FOX61 will not describe the picture fully due to sensitivity). Witness 2 also confirmed that Jackelyn told them that “Mimi” was experiencing “extreme abuse” from Karla and Nanita, and that Jackelyn never reported it to the police. 

Jackelyn is Karla’s sister and lived with her in Farmington and in New Britain at various points. During the interview, she told Hertzler she had returned home from York Correctional in August of this year.

The arrest warrant stated Jackelyn was “rambling” about how her own children were taken from her (in a previous incident from 2022) and how the cops were at the house.

According to the warrant, Jackleyn said she “found out about everything yesterday (Oct. 8), but said she had not seen “Mimi” in months. Finally, Jackelyn said she believed she was being interviewed by investigators because “Mimi” had been found on Clark Street, behind an abandoned building, in a tote bin.

Jackelyn said when she lived in Farmington with her sister, she did not believe the youngest child had been born yet, and stated Nanita was “disrespectful” and would call her names. Jackelyn also told Hertzler that Nanita would physically assault Karla.

The warrant stated that Jackleyn initially reported that Karla’s children were well-fed and well-dressed, and that she had never observed any issues with the children while she was living there. According to Jackelyn, the children did attend school, and she would get up with them and do their hair before school.

From September 2024 to December 2024, Jackelyn reportedly moved to New Haven with another person and was unable to see her family, who remained in Farmington. According to the warrant, Jackelyn stated she saw all four children before she left in September.

However, when Jackelyn was released from prison in August of this year, she was reunited with Karla and the kids in New Britain, but she did not see “Mimi.” At the time, according to Jackelyn, she was told that “Mimi” was at a friend’s house.

According to the warrant, Jackelyn stated that she wanted to ask more questions about “Mimi” to Karla, but her sister said she could not talk to her because Nanita was “always there.” Jackelyn expressed worry about the children because there were days her sister did not answer the phone.

Jackelyn was asked about the photo she reportedly showed Witness 2. The warrant stated that Jacklen said “Mimi” had short hair and was skinny, and was lying on the floor sleeping, and confirmed to Hertzler that Mimi was restrained.

At this point, Hertzler confronted Jackelyn with the fact that “Mimi” had been “at a family friend’s” for about 75 days (from when Jackelyn was reunited with the family after getting out of prison to now). According to the warrant, Jackelyn said she didn’t ask questions because she “did not know the girl was gone.”

Jackleyn stated during the interview that, on one occasion, she asked Karla whether Nanita had done something to “Mimi.” Karla reportedly began crying and said she did not know.

According to Jackelyn, this conversation took place a week before the bin was discovered.

About an hour and a half into the interview, Det. Mordasiewicz came into the room and informed Jackelyn that the body they found was, in fact, “Mimi.”

Mordasiewicz had just come from his second interview with Karla, where more information was revealed.

Karla’s Second InterviewKarla was being interviewed around the same time as her sister in New Britain.

Karla’s follow-up interview with Mordasiewicz began around the same time as her sister’s.

At this point, investigators had learned from the medical examiner that “Mimi” had no apparent signs of recent trauma, but there were severe signs of malnourishment. 

The warrant said that the statements made by Karla the previous day, which she alleged Nanita kicked “Mimi” in the head and threw her down the stairs, did not add up with the preliminary autopsy results. 

According to the warrant, Karla began the follow-up interview, once again rehashing the story she provided the day before, how “Mimi” reportedly pushed a pregnant Karla down the stairs during an argument. Karla claimed in this interview that “Mimi” did not want her to have any more children and only wanted it to be her and her younger sister, the warrant stated.

Karla went into more detail in the follow-up interview, describing how she reportedly wasn’t even halfway down the stairs when “Mimi” pushed her.

According to Karla, Nanita came into the home and tried helping Karla back up, but “couldn’t pick her up because her legs weren’t functioning” after the fall.

The warrant states that Karla insisted she couldn’t see where Nanita dragged “Mimi” off to because of the leg injuries, but could hear “something like a body” being thrown down a flight of stairs, and “Mimi” crying.

Karla stated she never saw “Mimi” again after that point, and due to her inability to walk for two weeks, was unable to check on “Mimi’s” well-being. According to the warrant, Karla stated that Nanita instructed her to inform others, including “Mimi’s” younger sister, that “Mimi” had either run away or was staying with a friend. This incident reportedly happened in October 2024, according to Karla.

Karla also confirmed that Farmington police were called several times to the condo due to noise complaints, one of those times being the Dec. 29, 2024, complaint police responded to.

According to the warrant, Karla admitted to Mordasiewicz that she did not report “Mimi” missing at this time.

At this point in the interview, Mordasiewicz confronted Karla about the photo that Witness 2 told Hertzler about. He also confronted Karla about “Mimi” appearing malnourished.

The warrant stated Karla initially denied having any involvement in restraining “Mimi” with the zip ties and that she would always provide food for her.

However, later in the interview, Karla reportedly admitted that she saw “Mimi” restrained in zip-ties on one occasion, which she immediately cut off.

Even later, Karla would admit that she had applied zip-ties to “Mimi” on two occasions at Nanita’s instructions, according to the warrant. Karla would go on to allege that she was forced to withhold food from “Mimi” by Nanita.

Karla would later admit to Mordasiewicz that she and Nanita would mistreat “Mimi” together because “Mimi” was “Bad. She didn’t listen, she didn’t respect them,” according to the warrant. Karla went on to accuse “Mimi” of striking other children, going into other people’s cars, and having five boyfriends.

Ultimately, according to the warrant, Karla admitted she felt hurt from “Mimi” not “wanting her,” so she would stop talking to her, stop feeding her, and restrain her in zip-ties. Karla would also go on to admit that Jackelyn and Nanita would also treat “Mimi” this way.

As for the photograph, Karla reportedly said Jackelyn was the one who took it.

“Mimi” died at some point in her bed, according to Karla, but she wasn’t exactly sure when. In the warrant, Karla stated that Nanita came downstairs one day and told her that “Mimi” was no longer breathing.

According to Karla, Nanita moved “Mimi’s” body to the basement, but she never went down there to see what he did with it. The smell became so bad that they began to stay at hotels and with other friends, according to the warrant.

Karla told Mordasiewicz that when they all moved to Tremont Street, Nanita transported “Mimi” in his car. According to the warrant, Karla told Nanita to leave the bin in the car.

Finally, Karla admitted to Mordasiewicz that she believed “Mimi” was dead and in the basement when Farmington police went to her house and spoke with her in December 2024.

The interview finished with Karla claiming Nanita disposed of “Mimi’s” body by himself, and that she never touched the bin.

The interview ended, and Mordasiewicz would head over to finish the interview with Jackelyn from here.

Jackelyn’s Interview, ContinuedThis part of the interview is after Mordasiewicz confronted Jackelyn with information from his second interview with Karla.

With Mordasiewicz now in Jackelyn’s interview, having finished with Karla’s, he told Jackelyn that her sister admitted that Jackelyn was there when the photograph was taken.

According to the warrant, it appeared that Jackelyn could not recall if she had taken the photo, as she “tilted her head and asked herself if she took the picture.”

Jackelyn was asked what happened to “Mimi,” and shook her head when Mordasiewicz said Jackelyn helped zip tie “Mimi.” The warrant states that Jackelyn acknowledged this but said she did not come up with the idea to use zip ties, but Nanita did.

Jackelyn admitted she did see “Mimi” zip tied on a “couple of occasions,” according to the warrant. She was asked how long “Mimi” had been deprived of food, and Jackelyn stated that she didn’t know, but that when she last saw “Mimi,” she was already skinny.

Mordasiewicz told Jackelyn that “Mimi” died in her bed from malnutrition, from not eating for weeks. According to the warrant, Jackelyn stated that when she went to Farmington, she saw “Mimi” as skinny and said that “Mimi” was “always in the corner of the house and that the zip ties started at the ‘end.'”

Jackelyn was asked how “Mimi” died, and she reportedly stated she didn’t know but knew it was not from malnutrition, and that “Mimi” suffered from malnutrition for a long time. At one point, Karla allegedly told Jackelyn to cut “Mimi’s” hair as it was “natty,” the warrant states.

During the interview, Jackelyn reportedly stated she would tell people to feed “Mimi,” and that when she was in prison, she’d ask Karla about how “Mimi” was.

The police would later confirm with the Department of Corrections that approximately 1,003 phone calls were made between Karla and Jackelyn; however, they have not been screened or reviewed at the time of writing this.

Jackelyn was confronted in the interview about how she would witness the abuse taking place, even taking a photo of “Mimi” while she was zip-tied, according to the warrant. Jackelyn reportedly said she no longer had the photo because she had a new phone. When asked why she’d taken the picture in the first place, Jackelyn responded by saying she had asked Karla if she could take the zip-ties off.

According to the warrant, Jackelyn was not able to provide specifics on “Mimi’s” death or who had placed her in the bin, but did again state that “Mimi” died a “different way” and not from malnutrition.

After describing more incidents involving the abuse, Jackelyn was asked by Mordasiewicz about the movement of the tote bin that “Mimi” was placed in.

The warrant states Jackelyn appeared “shocked” when Mordasiewicz said “Mimi” was in the bin and moved to Tremont Street. She stated that the apartment on Tremont Street did not smell when she lived there, and “Mimi” was not present at any point, according to the warrant.

Jackelyn described to Mordasiewicz how she’d help “Mimi” at times, but also confirmed that she never notified police, an ambulance, or reported the abuse to any other agency, and instead watched the abuse and neglect progress.

 

October 10The investigation continues

Inspector Beaulie told the Farmington Police Department that they will be the primary agency investigating “Mimi’s” death, based on the information obtained in the interviews, and that the death likely happened at the Farmington condo.

Investigators met with New Britain police, who provided them with Axon camera footage of the interviews, crime scene photos, and any other completed casework.

Officer Korwek, who interviewed Nanita both times, also provided Det. McKeown, the lead investigator from Farmington, with her Axon footage and other information from her interviews.

Additionally, the interviews with Karla were reviewed on this date as well, according to the arrest warrant.

October 11Police speak with former neighbors and “Mimi’s” biological father.

Credit: Priscilla Meza

Farmington investigators went to speak with Karla’s former neighbors at the Wellington condos.

The first neighbor said they had made several noise complaints to the police regarding the Garcia home. Residents who shared a wall with the condo said they’d routinely overhear yelling, swearing, and items being thrown in the condo.

According to the warrant, at one point, one of the residents contacted DCF to report possible abuse/neglect of a 10-year-old (believed to be “Mimi’s” younger sister). The resident told investigators that the girl was seen taking out the garbage, carrying large bags of groceries by herself, and would even go outside alone to start the family’s vehicle in the winter, but not be dressed for the weather.

The resident mentioned two incidents where police were called to the condo, the first being on September 28, 2024, and the other being the Dec. 29 visit.

A neighbor also told investigators that at one point, they smelled bleach and stated they could smell it from the basement. They didn’t know if the Garcias had moved out yet, if the cleaning crew was cleaning up after them or if the family was still living there. They also told investigators later in the day that they spoke with the listing agent for the condo, who also complained of a strong bleach smell in the basement.

Investigators spoke with another resident who was a teacher where “Mimi’s” younger sister went to school. Police learned that while the Garcias lived in Wellington, it was “always loud” and that she could hear young kids yelling during the night.

At one point, “Mimi’s” younger sister showed up with bruises on her body, and DCF was contacted and reports filed. It was after that point that “Mimi’s” younger sister was sent to a different school in the city.

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Det. McKeown also interviewed “Mimi’s” biological father, whom we will identify as Torres.

According to the arrest warrants, Torres provided “extensive” background information on his past relationship with Karla and his children, “Mimi” and her younger sister.

Karla had “Mimi” while still in high school with Torres in 2013. According to the warrant, due to “legal issues resulting in their incarceration,” Torres’ mother would maintain custody until “Mimi” was eight or nine years old. It was a year after “Mimi’s” birth that her younger sister was born, and Karla would retain custody over her.

Torres stated that by 2017, his mother had custody of both girls, according to the warrant.

A Connecticut parent is calling for increased oversight of homeschooled kids in the state in honor of 11-year-old Jacqueline Torres-Garcia.

In 2020, after Torres was released from incarceration, his mother still had both girls. In 2021, he and Karla would have joint custody, but by 2023, Karla would have custody of both children.

Torres told investigators that Karla made it “difficult” for him to see his daughters, stating that the situation worsened when he began dating his current wife. According to Torres, the last time he saw “Mimi” was at her fifth-grade graduation in June 2024. He even showed the police a photo from the event.

However, the following year, in June 2025, “Mimi’s” younger sister would graduate from fifth grade, but “Mimi” was not at the event. Torres stated that he asked Karla where she was, but Karla reportedly told him she was “in school.”

The warrant states that since June 2024, every time he tried to speak with “Mimi,” Karla would tell Torres that “Mimi” wasn’t home or at a friend’s house or some other excuse.

Though Torres would move to Florida in the summer of 2025, he told police that he would still make trips up to New Britain to see his family. But every time he tried to visit or speak with his daughters and/or drop off presents, he would be allowed to speak with “Mimi’s” younger sister, but not “Mimi” herself.

According to the warrant, Torres wasn’t told of Karla’s new Tremont Street address, and at one point, he grew so concerned that he contacted DCF to do a wellness check. However, he was reportedly told that they couldn’t because he didn’t know where “Mimi” lived.

Torres told investigators that he had since learned that DCF had done a welfare check, but that another child posed as “Mimi,” according to the arrest warrant.

Torres said he learned that “Mimi” was possibly dead on Oct. 8 after his brother called him and said Nanita had told a friend that “Mimi” was dead in the tote bin that was found that morning.

October 12Back to Farmington.

Det. Hopkins, with the Farmington Police Department, traveled back to the Wellington condos to meet with the owners of the former Garcia condo.

They stated that when they moved in, the place was “a mess” and dirty. They told police there was a used stroller in the closet, and dark red/brown “gunk” on the stairs. A twin mattress was left in the basement closet, and several bottles of cleaning products, including bleach, were also in the basement.

The residents stated that the apartment didn’t smell, but that several items were broken, including the dishwasher, drawers, and door handles.

Hopkins specifically asked if zip ties had been found anywhere, and he was told that small zip ties had been found on top of the air conditioners.

Karla, Nanita, and Jackelyn are all facing charges in connection with “Mimi’s” death.

They first appeared in court on Oct. 14. Karla and Nanita are facing the most serious charges, including murder with special circumstances and conspiracy to commit murder, among others. All three were charged with cruelty to persons under 19 years of age.

During the proceedings, several emotional people were removed for shouting at the suspects.

Karla could be heard crying before being brought into the crowded courtroom. The state said she has had a history of mental health issues.

Jackelyn, the victim’s aunt who also appeared in court, has been charged with several offenses, including unlawful restraint of a child and intent to cause cruelty to a child.

Several heartbroken loved ones left the courtroom wearing shirts with the 11-year-old’s face on them.

Karla, Nanita, and Jackelyn are expected back in court on Nov. 14.

Police said “Mimi” was homeschooled, which “limited the community’s ability to recognize that she was missing.”

The case, and others like it, prompted a New Haven parent, Los Fidel, to call for increased oversight of homeschooled children across the state, to ensure no child ever disappears unnoticed again.

A new proposal known as “Mimi’s Law” is gaining attention statewide. In just five days, nearly 14,000 people signed a petition in support of the proposal, which urges lawmakers to require regular check-ins and welfare assessments for all homeschooled students.

Fidel said he has been working alongside “Mimi’s” family to draft the proposal, incorporating their ideas into the petition.

“I contacted the family to make sure their voices were heard,” he said. “What I think needs to happen is some type of DCF oversight board. DCF needs to be held accountable for when they drop the ball. We’re also asking that they carry body cams so things are documented, not debated.”

Mimi’s Law calls for several reforms, including:

Regular, in-person welfare checks for homeschooled children
Stronger parental access and oversight rights to prevent one parent from cutting off the other entirely
A ban on convicted child abusers from living or being paroled into homes with children

“This was done in honor of Mimi,” Fidel said. “This is not about me or attention for myself. This is about protecting children like Mimi. I say that humbly, I’m really proud that this is happening.”

As signatures continue to grow online, Fidel said he has reached out to several state lawmakers, including Gov. Ned Lamont, with hopes of presenting the proposal to the General Assembly ahead of the next legislative session.

The online petition can be found here.

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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com. 

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