Father Sues DCF, State Demands Debt

0:00It's April 30th, Hartford News. Today starts now. AI powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. Victor Torres is suing Connecticut for the preventable death of his 11-year-old daughter, Jacqueline Mimi Torres-Garcia, and now the state wants a cut of any payout. He's seeking $75 million from the Department of Children and Families, claiming they failed to protect her from starvation and abuse. By her mother, aunts, and the mom's boyfriend, but officials say Torres owes over $300,000 from his three-year prison stint back in 2017 for drug and gun charges, so they'll slap a lien on his share as a beneficiary of her state. The girl's body turned up in a plastic bin last October, sparking big questions about DCF oversight. They had prior contact with the family, and her mom pulled her from school for homeschooling right before. One welfare check even happened over video when adult-faked being the kid who was already gone. Torres needs approval from the Claims Commissioner to move forward with the suit.

1:01Folks are fired up over the state's move. The ACLU calls it ghoulish and unconstitutional, saying it traps ex inmates and death cycles that block fresh starts. Lawmakers like Senator Gary Winfield argue it hurts everyone by pushing people back to crime instead of success, especially a dad grieving his child. Connecticut calculates these prison costs uniquely, at fiscal year's end, they divvy of all expenses like upkeep and lawsuits by inmate days, hitting. Folks with unpredictable bills around $249 daily back in 2022. The state routinely checks probate cases, filing leans on inheritances, or wins to claw back cash for the general fund. This clash highlights deeper flaws in how states balance accountability and second chances. Torres and his team aren't commenting, but advocates bow to, fight these leans in court for real justice.