Committal Hearing Delayed for Woman Accused in Death of 9-Year-Old Chantel Crump

The woman accused of murdering nine-year-old Chantel Crump will have to wait until next year to learn whether her case will proceed to the High Court for trial.

Angela Mejia, who remains on remand at His Majesty’s Prison, appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel this week, but her scheduled committal hearing was adjourned after her attorney, Wendel Alexander, was not present. The hearing has now been set for February 11, 2026.

The delay marks yet another chapter in a case that has gripped the nation since March, when the tragic death of young Chantel sent shockwaves through communities across Antigua and Barbuda.

On March 15, 2025, residents of the Weatherills area made a horrifying discovery when the body of nine-year-old Chantel Crump was found in nearby bushes, hours after she had been reported missing. Police quickly launched a massive investigation, leading to the arrest of Angela Mejia, a woman known to the victim and her family.

The incident sparked an outpouring of grief and anger, with candlelight vigils and public calls for justice spreading across social media. Schools and church groups organized tributes in Chantel’s memory, describing her as a cheerful, bright student with “a smile that could light up a room.”

Mejia was charged shortly after the discovery and made her first court appearance in March, where she was remanded to prison pending completion of the police investigation and preparation of the case file.

According to reports, the file is now with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to move the case forward to the High Court for trial.

The February hearing will decide if the matter is formally committed. Until then, Mejia will remain in custody as the legal process continues.

The case remains one of the most emotionally charged criminal matters of 2025, reigniting conversations about child protection, community vigilance, and the pace of justice in serious crime cases.