A harrowing case has emerged from Connecticut, where a mother and her boyfriend face serious charges related to the death of an 11-year-old girl. In a shocking twist, a young woman testified in court that she was coerced into impersonating the deceased child during a Zoom call with social services, a desperate act allegedly orchestrated by the girl’s mother to conceal the tragic reality of her death.
A Deceptive Facade
Karla Garcia, the mother of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, along with her boyfriend Jonatan Nanita, are charged with murder and other serious offences following the discovery of Mimi’s remains in a tote bag behind an abandoned property in New Britain last October. According to court testimony, the girl died in September 2024, yet Garcia allegedly sought to maintain the illusion of Mimi being alive to avoid losing custody of her children.
During a probable cause hearing, 22-year-old Jacklyn Goulet recounted how she was approached by Garcia to impersonate Mimi in a January 2025 call with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Goulet stated she had never met Mimi or Garcia’s other children but was told to pretend as if she was the child during the meeting, which was prompted by a complaint to the DCF.
“I thought Mimi was with her aunt in another state,” Goulet testified, revealing her shock to learn of the child’s death. Garcia had provided her with the names and ages of the other children to help answer any questions from the caseworkers. Goulet even claimed to have told the DCF representative that she spoke to her siblings regularly and that she had friends, unaware of the grim reality that surrounded her.
Evidence of Abuse
The court proceedings have revealed troubling details surrounding Mimi’s life leading up to her death. Testimony from police indicated that Mimi’s remains showed signs of severe neglect and abuse. Detective James McKeown reported that DNA evidence was found on a mattress in a closet, and Nanita’s palm print was discovered on the tote containing her body.
The investigation uncovered allegations that both Garcia and Nanita physically abused Mimi, subjecting her to horrific treatment, including being restrained and denied food. Nanita admitted to investigators that he witnessed the abuse but distanced himself from the events, claiming he would often leave the house during such incidents.
In a particularly harrowing detail, court documents revealed that an autopsy found Mimi’s stomach contained only a single blueberry at the time of her death. The report indicated that she was severely malnourished, weighing merely 27 pounds, and described her as “emaciated.” The Medical Examiner classified her death as resulting from “fatal child abuse with starvation.”
Legal Consequences Ahead
The legal ramifications for Garcia, Nanita, and Mimi’s aunt, Jackelyn Leeann Garcia, who also faces charges for her alleged role in the abuse, are still unfolding. The court will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges against them.
Judge Robert D’Andrea of Litchfield Superior Court is presiding over the case, which has garnered significant public attention due to its disturbing nature. As the proceedings continue, the community and Mimi’s family are left grappling with the implications of such a tragic series of events.
Why it Matters
This case highlights the critical importance of child welfare systems and the need for vigilant oversight in protecting vulnerable children. The alleged manipulation and abuse suffered by Mimi serve as a stark reminder of the systemic failures that can occur when support structures falter. As the legal process unfolds, it is imperative that lessons are learned to prevent such tragedies in the future, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and that similar cases are identified and addressed swiftly.
