Estate of Jacqueline ‘Mimi’ Torres Seeks $100M Suit Against DCF

BREAKING: The estate of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres has filed urgent paperwork seeking a staggering $100 million lawsuit against the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) following her tragic death. The claim, submitted Thursday to the Office of the Claims Commissioner, marks a critical step towards holding DCF accountable for alleged negligence related to Jacqueline’s demise and the abuse of her younger sister.

The legal action seeks $75 million linked to Jacqueline’s death and an additional $25 million concerning the reported abuse her sister endured. Attorney Timothy O’Keefe, representing Jacqueline’s father, Victor Torres, has yet to comment on the unfolding case.

Jacqueline’s lifeless body was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition inside a storage tote outside an abandoned home on Clark Street in New Britain in October 2024. Investigators suspect 30-year-old Jonatan Nanita discarded the tote after Jacqueline died, allegedly due to severe abuse while living with her family in Farmington.

Authorities have charged Jacqueline’s mother, 29-year-old Karla Garcia, and Nanita with murder. Garcia’s sister, 28-year-old Jackelyn Garcia, is facing child endangerment charges related to the horrific conditions Jacqueline was subjected to.

According to arrest warrants, both Karla and Jackelyn Garcia admitted that Jacqueline was often restrained in a corner, deprived of food and bathroom access. Alarmingly, Jacqueline weighed only 27 pounds at the time her remains were found, a stark indicator of the severe malnourishment leading to her death, ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.

DCF’s involvement with the family dates back to January 2013, when Jacqueline was born while her mother was in detention. Despite repeated interactions with the family, DCF closed a case in November 2022 after determining that the children were safe, a conclusion that has drawn significant scrutiny following Jacqueline’s death.

The lawsuit alleges that DCF failed in its duty to protect Jacqueline and her sister from ongoing abuse. Ken Mysogland, DCF’s bureau chief of external affairs, stated, “We have not yet been formally notified of the claim, and when it is received, we will assess it to determine the most appropriate course of action.”

This unfolding tragedy raises critical questions about the responsibilities of child welfare agencies and the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to occur.

What happens next? The estate’s claim against DCF will likely lead to a thorough investigation into the agency’s actions and decisions regarding the Torres family. As the criminal cases against Karla Garcia, Nanita, and Jackelyn Garcia proceed in Superior Court, the public is left to grapple with the haunting implications of this case.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it highlights the urgent need for reforms in child welfare systems nationwide. This case is not just about one family; it underscores the critical importance of protecting vulnerable children everywhere.