The family of nine-year-old Chantel Crump say they remain determined to see justice served, warning that dismissing the case would send a troubling message about the justice system in Antigua and Barbuda.

Their comments follow renewed arguments in court by defence attorney Wendel Alexander, who is representing Angela Mejia, the woman charged in connection with the child’s murder.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday, Mr Alexander called for the matter to be dismissed for want of prosecution. He argued that his client has remained on remand at His Majesty’s Prison since her arrest and should not continue to be detained while prosecutors delay progressing the case.

Mr Alexander said repeated adjournments had prejudiced his client and stressed that, given the intense public scrutiny, authorities should either move the case swiftly to trial or release her.

Chief Magistrate Emanuel granted what she described as a final adjournment and set the next hearing for 18 March. Prosecutors told the court the case file remains with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Chantel, a Five Islands Primary School student, disappeared in mid-March 2025 after reportedly being picked up by a woman in a vehicle near her home. Her body was found days later in the Weatherhills area, prompting national outrage.

Ms Mejia was arrested shortly afterwards and has been in custody since. The court is expected to decide next month whether the matter will proceed to the High Court or be dismissed.

No representative of the Crump family was present at Wednesday’s hearing.