2025-10-14
Four workers rushed to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning at NH Shaw's
Police said they have arrested a mother, her boyfriend and the aunt of a 12-year-old girl whose body was found in a container behind an abandoned home in New Britain last week.The mother’s boyfriend was taken into custody Monday night, according to police.The charges for the mother, Karla Garcia, and her boyfriend include murder and conspiracy to commit murder, according to police. The aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, has been charged with cruelty to persons as well as additional charges.Bond for Karla Garcia and her boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, was set at $5 million and bond for Jackelyn Garcia was set at $1 million.Nanita is also being charged with tampering with evidence, according to police.Jonatan Nanita (left), Karla Garcia (middle) and Jackelyn Garcia (right).Family member identified the little girl as Jacqueline Torres and said they called her “Mimi.”Police called this one of the worst cases that they have seen. “This is a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case. Our detectives, along with our local and state partners, have worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and to bring justice for Jacqueline. No child should ever have to endure such suffering,” New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino and Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson said in a statement.Officers found Torres’ remains when they responded to the area of 80 Clark St. in New Britain on Wednesday afternoon to investigate a report of suspicious behavior and they discovered a large container in the backyard along the fence line. When officers opened the container, they found human remains inside. During the news conference on Monday afternoon, police said the person who saw the suspicious behavior last week reported that someone was dropping things off, including the storage bin where Jacqueline Torres’ remains were ultimately found.New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition and police revealed that they think the little girl died in the fall of 2024.The family had been living in Farmington, according to police, and they believe that Jacqueline was the victim of prolonged abuse and malnourishment. They believe that her body had been kept in the basement of the family’s home, then moved in 2025 when the family moved to another location. The last known schooling Jacqueline Torres had was homeschooling, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said.There is no apparent connection to the home where the little girl’s body was found.Stewart said the house has been vacant for more than two years.The cause of the child’s death is pending further studies, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.DCF InvolvementThe Department of Children and Families (DCF) said they have started a thorough review of their history with the family.Officials said the review will look into their knowledge about the family, supports provided, casework decisions, adherence to policy and communication and collaboration with other system and community partners.“Our hearts remain with all those impacted by Jacqueline’s tragic and shocking death. The Department is invested in being as transparent as possible about the family’s prior DCF involvement without interfering with the active and evolving criminal investigation,” DCF said in a statement on Monday.DCF officials said Jacqueline’s siblings and safe and have been placed together in state custody.New BritainOct 10Girl's remains found in container outside abandoned Connecticut property: policeNew BritainOct 8Human remains found in container outside abandoned property in Connecticut: policeThe warrants are sealed and officials are asking anyone who has information to contact police.This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.