In the past year, two heartbreaking Connecticut cases show what happens when children disappear unseen.

In Waterbury, a man was found after nearly 20 years of captivity—hidden from every mandated reporter since childhood. Last week in New Britain, 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres was found deceased almost a year after her death. According to news reports, she was listed as “homeschooled,” and no one ever checked on her well-being.

Connecticut law (CGS § 10-184) allows parents to withdraw children from public school for homeschooling but there’s no required follow-up or welfare check. Once withdrawn, a child can vanish from all systems of protection.

According to the Office of the Child Advocate (2025), more than 5,100 Connecticut children were withdrawn from school in the past three years - and nearly 1 in 4 came from families already involved with DCF.

Other states have safeguards that balance parental rights and child safety.

• North Carolina requires annual testing.
• Pennsylvania requires yearly portfolio reviews.
• Oregon allows home visits if there are concerns.

We are calling on Connecticut lawmakers to amend § 10-184 to require at least one annual well-being check for homeschooled children, conducted by a neutral representative (DOE, DCF, local school or verification from a Pediatrician).

This simple check could save lives.

Let’s make sure no child in Connecticut ever disappears unseen again.

Prevention is protection!

✍🏽 Sign to demand action from the Connecticut General Assembly and the State Department of Education.