The family of an 11-year-old girl from Connecticut, who was tragically discovered deceased in a plastic container last month, faced the court this week as new details about her demise emerged.

On Friday, the girl’s mother Karla Garcia, 29, her former partner Jonatan Nanita, 30, and the child’s aunt Jacelyn Garcia, 28, were present at Torrington Superior Court. They are involved in a case concerning the abuse and tragic death of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia, as reported by Local 12.

Karla Garcia has pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder and child cruelty. Jonatan Nanita, facing similar charges, has yet to enter a plea.

Jacelyn Garcia, the victim’s aunt, also pleaded not guilty to charges of child cruelty and other related offenses. She is not facing charges of murder.

Documents from the arrest and search warrants reveal the harrowing experiences Jacqueline allegedly suffered at the hands of her family, alongside attempts to conceal the crime. The chief medical examiner concluded that her death was a result of “fatal child abuse with starvation.”

As CrimeOnline previously reported, police found the body of Jacqueline Torres on the afternoon of October 8, when they were called to investigate a report of suspicious behavior, WVIT reported.

They found the large container along the fence line in the backyard of the abandoned home.

Police said during a news conference on October 6 that they were told of someone dropping things off—including the storage bin where the remains were found.

New Britain Police Chief Matt Marino said the little girl’s body was in an advanced stage of decomposition, and investigators believe she died a year ago.

According to court records, it is believed Jacqueline possibly died in September 2024. To keep the girl’s death hidden, a child impersonated Jacqueline during a state child welfare agency video call after possible abuse allegations were reported.

Arrest warrants reveal that Karla Garcia and Nanita stopped feeding Jacqueline approximately two weeks before her death and that they, along with Jackelyn Garcia, regularly abused her, including using zip tie restraints.

Police stated that investigators were told by Karla Garcia that Jacqueline was “bad; she didn’t listen, and she didn’t respect them.”

The 11-year-old child reportedly misbehaved by hitting other children and getting into people’s cars, and the little girl had five boyfriends, according to the arrest warrant.

“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,” Marino and Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson said in a statement.

[Feature Photo: Jacqueline Torres/Handout]