Authorities in New Britain, Connecticut, have confirmed a deeply tragic case involving the death of 12-year-old Jacqueline Torres. After her remains turned up outside an abandoned home, police arrested three people — including Jacqueline’s own mother and aunt.
The disturbing circumstances of her death, which stretched across multiple towns and several months, have sparked community outrage. People are calling for more vigilance when it comes to protecting vulnerable children.
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Arrests Made Following Grisly Discovery
New Britain police announced charges against Karla Garcia, 29, who now faces accusations of murder and child cruelty. Her sister, Jackelyn Garcia, 28, is charged with child cruelty and risk of injury to a child.
Karla’s boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, 30, has also landed in custody after police issued an arrest warrant for murder and evidence tampering. Karla’s bond is set at $5 million, while Jackelyn’s sits at $1 million.
How the Investigation Began
This case started with an anonymous tip. Officers searched an abandoned property at 80 Clark Street in New Britain.
Inside a plastic tote, they found Jacqueline’s decomposed remains. Detectives believe she died in the fall of 2024 while living in Farmington with her family, during a period marked by alleged abuse and severe malnourishment.
Timeline of Events
Investigators say Jacqueline’s body stayed in the basement of the family’s Farmington home for months. In March 2025, after moving to New Britain, the remains were allegedly moved to the abandoned property where police eventually found them.
Challenges in Detecting Her Disappearance
Authorities explained that Jacqueline was home-schooled, which seriously limited her connection to the wider community in towns like Waterbury and Bristol. Family members occasionally visited those towns, but without the daily oversight of public schools, it was harder for anyone to notice she was missing.
Prior Contact With State Agencies
Mayor Erin Stewart of New Britain confirmed that the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) had previous contact with the Garcia family. This raises tough questions about oversight and whether intervention opportunities slipped through the cracks.
Community Reaction
Residents in Hartford and Middletown have voiced growing frustration over child protection gaps. Similar cases across Connecticut have started conversations about strengthening reporting procedures and giving social workers more resources.
Political leaders in places like Norwalk and Danbury are pushing for legislative reviews to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
Court Proceedings in Torrington
Karla and Jackelyn Garcia are scheduled to appear in court in Torrington, where prosecutors will begin to lay out the evidence. The community wants legal accountability for Jacqueline, though it’s hard to imagine any court decision could ever truly make things right.
Ongoing Investigations
Police departments across Connecticut are now sharing information as they try to piece together the full timeline. Officers from New Britain, Farmington, Waterbury, and Hartford are working together, since the case stretches across so many jurisdictions.
Lessons and Warning Signs
This case really highlights the need to recognize warning signs of child abuse. Officials and advocates urge people in every Connecticut town to stay alert and report anything suspicious, especially if a child seems isolated or malnourished.
- Sudden withdrawal from public school without clear educational support
- Limited visibility of a child in community spaces
- Signs of physical neglect or unexplained injuries
- Unusual secrecy around family living conditions
The Push for Change
People in cities from New Britain to Norwalk are getting louder about the need for systemic reform. Strengthening DCF oversight is one of the main ideas on the table.
Folks also want better cross-agency communication. Communities are asking for more tools to report abuse quickly and effectively.
As the state mourns Jacqueline Torres, leaders and residents face a tough reminder: child safety needs real vigilance and action. This tragedy has shaken every corner of Connecticut—and honestly, it might shape child protection laws for years ahead.
Here is the source article for this story: New Britain officials plan news conference with update on discovery of girl’s remains
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