Janaya Thompson’s Killer Pleads Guilty

In a case that broke hearts across the Coast when it happened, then five-year-old Janaya Thompson’s killer pleads guilty to capital murder.
Alberto Garcia originally pled not guilty in October 2015, but changed his plea in front of Judge Lisa Dodson earlier this morning.
Janaya Thompson disappeared from the Palms Apartments in Gulfport in July of 2014. Her body was found in a vacant mobile home nearby the next day. Garcia faces either life without parole or the death penalty.
Two and a half years later, Janaya’s family is still heartbroken and in disbelief about what happened.Felicia Farmer is a family member of Janaya Thompson. She said, “It’s, it’s just still, It just, I don’t even really know what to say behind it, it was terrible for what he did, very terrible to do to a child like that.”
Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania said, “Today was a major milestone in it. I’m very proud of the work of our district attorney in this. This is not easy, it’s not easy for that family, but we’re on the road where we need to be in seeking justice for Janaya.”
Garcia’s sentencing is set to begin on Monday.