Police Bodycam Reveals Interaction with Couple Before Murder Arrests

UPDATE: Body camera footage from December 29, 2024, captures a troubling encounter between Farmington police and a couple accused of murdering their 11-year-old daughter, Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres. The footage emerges as authorities investigate the horrifying circumstances surrounding Jacqueline’s death, believed to have occurred in September 2024.

The footage from two responding officers shows them arriving at the condo on Wellington Drive after multiple noise complaints. Police Chief Kyle A. Noddin confirmed this was the only interaction police had with the couple, Karla Garcia, 29, and her boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, 30, prior to the investigation into Jacqueline’s tragic death.

During the encounter, officers received reports of continuous disturbances from the unit. The couple assured officers everything was fine, with Garcia dismissing the noise complaints as typical. “They’re always calling,” she stated, while indicating her boyfriend was in the basement. The interaction lasted less than four minutes, with no mention of Jacqueline, who tragically was found deceased weeks later.

On October 8, 2024, Jacqueline’s remains were discovered outside a boarded-up home in New Britain. Authorities allege that Garcia and Nanita were responsible for her death. A warrant affidavit reveals horrifying details about the abuse Jacqueline faced, including being zip-tied and denied food for extended periods.

Authorities have indicated that Jacqueline’s body was stored in a basement, leading to foul odors that prompted them to stay away from their condo. Investigators uncovered that her remains were found in a 40-gallon tote, with signs of severe malnourishment and neglect. The medical examiner noted that Jacqueline’s body weighed around 27 pounds at the time of discovery.

Following the unsealing of their arrest warrants, both Garcia and Nanita now face charges including murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder, and intentional cruelty to a child. Additionally, Jackelyn Garcia, 28, Karla’s sister, has been charged with intentional cruelty to a child under 19 years old and other related offenses.

In interviews, Karla Garcia confessed to investigators that she didn’t feed Jacqueline at all during the two weeks leading up to her death. Both suspects attempted to deflect blame during questioning, complicating the narrative surrounding this tragic case.

The community has expressed outrage as more details unfold. Neighbors reported a persistent foul odor coming from the couple’s new residence in New Britain, raising alarms about the welfare of Jacqueline prior to the discovery of her remains.

As authorities continue their investigation, all three suspects remain in custody, with their cases pending in Superior Court in Torrington. The chilling circumstances of Jacqueline’s death have left a community in mourning and seeking justice.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.