Police Question Suspects, Examine Vehicles in Search for Missing 9-Year-Old Chantel Crump

Police are actively investigating the disappearance of 9-year-old Chantel Crump, who was last seen entering a silver Honda Fit around 4 pm Wednesday while wearing her Five Islands Primary School uniform.

Acting Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers confirmed that atleast two individuals are being questioned regarding the child’s whereabouts.

“Currently, we are following several leads which we believe will help us in our search,” Jeffers stated during a press conference. “At this point, we are questioning a couple of persons who we believe might be able to provide us with additional information as to her whereabouts.”

“We are already checking out at least two of the vehicles already. We know who the owners are and all of that, the colours and everything,” Jeffers said. “We’re looking at two separate vehicles. Two different numbers, two separate vehicles.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police Samuel Alexander Joseph provided details about the circumstances of Chantel’s disappearance, noting that she was nearly home when the incident occurred.

“Chantal was allegedly picked up on No. 2 George Street on her way home. She was walking in the company of two other schoolmates,” Joseph explained. “She was approximately 75 to 100 feet away from her home, actually, when the silver vehicle with a lone female inside opened the door and invited her in. And she went into the vehicle from the information received. And upon entering the vehicle, she waved to her schoolmate, and the vehicle went away.”

Joseph added that Chantel’s mother learned about the incident while returning from work and immediately reported it to the Gray’s Farm police station.

At the time of her disappearance, Chantel was wearing her school uniform with her hair tied in a bun with a red bow, a single braid at the front, black shoes, white socks, and was carrying her school bag.

Importantly, Joseph noted, “They’re not aware that she’s not accustomed to getting a ride home. No one is accustomed to bringing her home.”

Authorities confirmed they are treating the case as a kidnapping based on information received. Police have already investigated two vehicles matching the description.

Joseph stated he had spoken with one vehicle owner: “I can tell you that we’re not going to just leave it because of the information she gave to me. But it appears to me that she’s actually not the person who picked up the child… The other vehicle, the information has just been sent out so that we can locate that vehicle and that owner. That is also a female.”

Commissioner Jeffers reassured the public about the investigation’s priority status: “I just wish to reassure the family of Chantel Crump that the police are doing everything humanly possible to find her alive and well, and have turned all our resources towards finding her and returning her home safely.”

While responding to questions about seeking international assistance, Jeffers explained their methodical approach: “Before we call in the FBI, et cetera, we want to make sure that we have things properly in place. So when we call them, you know, we have something for them to work from.”

Jeffers also highlighted infrastructure challenges facing the investigation, noting: “I think that we probably need some CCTV cameras. Those would help. Again, it is so important to have these, because what we can do is trace the movement of the vehicle from one place to the next.”