The family of nine-year-old Chantel Crump says it remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice, warning that any attempt to have the matter dismissed would not be in the best interest of the nation.

Relatives say throwing out the case would send what they describe as a troubling signal about the state of justice in Antigua and Barbuda.

The comments come as Attorney Wendel Alexander, who represents Angela Mejia, renewed his call in court on Wednesday morning for the case to be dismissed for want of prosecution.

Alexander argued before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel that his client should not continue to languish at His Majesty’s Prison while prosecutors delay moving the matter forward.

Mejia is charged in connection with the murder of the Five Islands Primary School student.

Alexander told the court that the repeated adjournments have been prejudicial to his client, who has remained on remand since her arrest. He emphasized that the intense public scrutiny surrounding the case makes it imperative for authorities to either proceed expeditiously to trial or release his client.

Chief Magistrate Emanuel granted what she indicated would be a final adjournment, setting the matter down for March 18. The shorter-than-usual one-month postponement reflects the court’s recognition that the case has been prolonged. Prosecutors advised that the case file remain with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The charges stem from the tragic events of mid-March 2025, when Chantel Crump disappeared after reportedly being picked up by a woman in a vehicle near her home. Days later, her body was discovered in the Weatherhills area, sending shockwaves throughout the country.

Mejia was arrested shortly after the discovery and has been incarcerated since.

It will now be up to the court next month to determine whether the case proceeds to the High Court or faces dismissal.

A representative of the Crump family was not present in court during Wednesday’s proceedings.