Shocking new details have emerged regarding the death of 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, whose remains were discovered last month inside a plastic storage bin at an abandoned home in Connecticut. Newly released arrest and search warrants outline allegations of prolonged abuse, starvation, and an attempted cover-up by family members.

Shocking new details have emerged regarding the death of 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, whose remains were discovered last month inside a plastic storage bin at an abandoned home in Connecticut. Newly released arrest and search warrants outline allegations of prolonged abuse, starvation, and an attempted cover-up by family members.

Two weeks without food, repeated restraints, police allege

According to investigators, Jacqueline had not been given food for two weeks before her death and was regularly restrained with zip ties. Last week, the state’s Chief Medical Examiner determined she died of “fatal child abuse with starvation.”

Police say Jacqueline died last year, but her remains were not found until recently.

Attempts to conceal the child’s death

Court documents also reveal that months after Jacqueline’s death, another child was instructed to impersonate her during a video call with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The call was meant to verify Jacqueline’s welfare following a report of possible mistreatment involving her sister.

DCF officials later acknowledged the agency had prior contact with the family, most recently in 2022, when investigators determined the children were safe. The agency says it is now reviewing its involvement.

Arrests and charges

Three people have been arrested:

• Karla Garcia, 29 (Jacqueline’s mother) — Charged with murder, cruelty to a child, and additional offenses. A not-guilty plea was entered on her behalf.

• Jonatan Nanita, 30 (Garcia’s former boyfriend) — Facing similar charges, including murder. He did not enter a plea during his appearance.

• Jackelyn Garcia (Karla’s sister) — Not charged with murder but pleaded not guilty to child cruelty and related charges.

All three cases were continued to December.

Admissions detailed in warrants

Police say Karla Garcia admitted she and Nanita withheld food from Jacqueline for two weeks before her death, and that she, Nanita, and Jackelyn participated in the abuse, including the use of zip ties.

Nanita is accused of disposing of the bin containing Jacqueline’s body at the abandoned home where it was found last month.

Family dynamics and alleged motive

Garcia reportedly has three children with Nanita and two others, including Jacqueline, with a different man.

According to police, Karla Garcia described Jacqueline as “bad,” claiming the child “didn’t listen” or “respect them.” She also accused the 12-year-old of various behaviors investigators have not corroborated, including hitting other children and going into cars.