An 11-year-old schoolgirl tragically passed away after enduring two weeks without food and being restrained with zip ties before her body was discovered inside a plastic bin in Connecticut. The victim, Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, was subjected to severe abuse and neglect, according to police who uncovered disturbing details surrounding her death through arrest and search warrants.
The investigation revealed that even after Jacqueline’s death, another child impersonated her during a video call with the state child welfare agency. The official determination from the chief medical examiner’s office classified her cause of death as “fatal child abuse with starvation,” highlighting the horrific nature of the incident.
Public safety director Paul Melanson expressed deep sorrow over the case, emphasizing that no child should endure such suffering. Jacqueline’s mother, Karla Garcia, along with two others implicated in the case, faced charges including murder and cruelty to a child during their court appearances in Torrington Superior Court.
The defendants’ hearings were postponed to December as they remain in custody on bail. Legal representatives for the accused refrained from commenting on the charges directly after the court proceedings, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations.
Karla Garcia admitted to authorities that she and her partner, Jonatan Nanita, withheld food from Jacqueline in the weeks leading up to her death. The police investigation also revealed instances of mistreatment, including the use of zip ties as restraints. Additionally, Garcia disclosed disturbing details during interviews, initially suggesting Jacqueline’s death was accidental before confessing to neglect and abuse.
Authorities uncovered that Jacqueline had been removed from school by her mother in 2024, who claimed she would homeschool her. The Department of Children and Families received reports of mistreatment within the Garcia household earlier this year, raising concerns about child welfare practices and the need for increased monitoring in cases of homeschooling.
The tragic case has prompted a review of the state’s handling of similar situations, with lawmakers from various political parties questioning the adequacy of existing laws and regulations. The Department of Children and Families is reassessing its involvement with the family, highlighting the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from such harrowing experiences.