Following an autopsy report released this week, it has been revealed that a young girl, Jacqueline Torres-Garcia, also known as Mimi, had only one blueberry in her stomach at the time of her death. Jacqueline was discovered deceased on October 8 in the basement of an unoccupied residence in New Britain, Connecticut. The autopsy conducted by the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner indicated that Jacqueline suffered from severe malnutrition and muscle atrophy before her passing.
The autopsy findings revealed that the 11-year-old had minimal body fat and weighed a mere 27 pounds. Her body was severely decomposed and was found curled up tightly in a fetal position. Additionally, the autopsy detected diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, in her system despite no medical prescription or need for the drug.
Authorities have charged Jacqueline’s mother, Karla Garcia, aged 29, with murder and other related offenses. Garcia has denied the charges and is currently in custody on a $5 million bond, with a court appearance scheduled for January 30.
Police allege that Garcia deliberately withheld food from her daughter for weeks and subjected her to prolonged abuse. According to court records, Garcia admitted to not feeding Jacqueline for approximately two weeks leading up to her death.
Additionally, Garcia’s former boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, aged 30, is facing charges of murder and conspiracy. Prosecutors claim he assisted in restraining the child and disposing of her remains. Nanita has not entered a plea and has requested a probable cause hearing.
Investigations suggest that Jacqueline passed away in September 2024 while residing with her family in Farmington. Her body was reportedly stored in the basement of the home for months before being relocated. Authorities allege that Nanita subsequently placed her remains in a plastic container, concealing it in the yard of an abandoned property in New Britain.
Police records indicate that Jacqueline was restrained with zip ties, denied access to the restroom, and subjected to severe neglect, as reported by the Sun. Although no recent fractures or significant injuries were found, investigators attribute her death to lack of nourishment and prolonged confinement.
Prior to living with her mother, Jacqueline resided with her paternal grandparents until 2022. Following a custody change, she was homeschooled after being withdrawn from public school, making it challenging for authorities to monitor her well-being.
Officials from the New Britain school district verified that Jacqueline attended local schools up to the fifth grade before her withdrawal by her mother.
It is alleged that after Jacqueline’s demise, Garcia deceived the state Department of Children and Families by using another child to impersonate her daughter during a video call.
Jacqueline’s father, Victor Torres, disclosed that he was informed of his daughter’s death by the police. He intends to file a negligence lawsuit against the Department of Children and Families seeking $100 million in damages.
Garcia is facing a range of charges, including murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder, endangering a minor, unlawful restraint, child cruelty, evidence tampering, and improper disposal of a body. Nanita is also confronted with similar charges, such as murder with special circumstances, conspiracy, unlawful restraint, and child cruelty.
Another family member, Jacqueline’s aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, aged 28, has been arrested as well. Police allege that she resided in the same home, witnessed the abuse, and failed to intervene. She is held on a $1 million bond, facing charges of cruelty, unlawful restraint, endangerment, and multiple counts of child endangerment as investigations continue.
