SAN ANTONIO – Two years after 18-month-old James Chairez disappeared and his mother was arrested for his death, family members are still seeking justice.
Mariesol Benavidez says she still grieves for her nephew baby James Chairez.
“She failed James as a mother,” Benavidez said. “She was to be his caretaker and his life is no longer here.”
In January 2021, Benavidez notified San Antonio Police Department that she couldn’t find her niece D’Lanny Chairez or D’Lanny’s son James.
A search for the two began in February and while D’Lanny Chairez was found safe, baby James was not.
In April 2021, his remains were located underneath the trailer where he lived with his mom.
“There’s not a day that I don’t talk to him,” Benavidez said. “We, a lot of times, just sit and watching his videos.”
D’Lanny Chairez was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. She took a plea deal on that charge and was sentenced to five years in prison. On the day of sentencing, more than a year after James was found, D’Lanny Chairez was also charged with injury to a child. She has yet to go to trial on that charge.
Recently, her attorney filed a reduction-of-bond motion in her case. Benavidez is not happy with that filing.
“I hope she never gets out,” Benavidez said. “She needs to suffer the consequences of this.”
D’Lanny Chairez’s next court date is scheduled for March 20 and the bond reduction motion could be considered.
“I hope and pray that the justice system does James right and he deserves justice,” Benavidez said.