NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — A Connecticut mother and her boyfriend are facing additional criminal charges after authorities say they falsely collected state food assistance benefits for the woman’s child months after the child had died.
Prosecutors say Karla Garcia continued to report her daughter as a member of her household in applications submitted to the Connecticut Department of Social Services, allowing her to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits she was no longer eligible to receive.
Investigators allege Garcia failed to notify the state that her child was deceased and also did not disclose that her boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, was living in the home.
According to court documents, Nanita separately applied for public assistance while claiming he was homeless. Authorities say that claim was false and that he was living with Garcia at the time, a factor that would have affected eligibility for benefits. Officials estimate that Nanita received thousands of dollars in benefits he did not qualify for, while the total amount connected to Garcia remains under review.
The fraud charges are tied to a larger and ongoing criminal case involving the death of Garcia’s daughter. The child’s remains were discovered in 2025 following an anonymous tip to police. Investigators believe the child died several months earlier, though details surrounding the timeline remain part of the active investigation.
Both Garcia and Nanita were previously charged in connection with the child’s death and are now facing additional counts including larceny and making false statements to obtain public assistance. Prosecutors say the alleged misuse of SNAP benefits occurred over an extended period and involved repeated false representations to the state.
State officials emphasized that SNAP is designed to help families experiencing food insecurity and that providing false information undermines the program and diverts resources away from those in need.
Garcia and Nanita remain in custody as the cases proceed through the court system. They are expected to appear in court on the new charges at a later date. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing and that further charges are possible.
Video Credit: NBC Connecticut