Family frustrated by delays and lack of communication in baby's death

SAN ANTONIO — Another scheduled court date in the case of a San Antonio mother accused of causing the death of her toddler has passed without a hearing.

D'Lanny Chairez remains in legal limbo more than three years after the remains of her 18-month-old son James Chairez were found.

Chairez's family said they are frustrated not only by the delays, but also by a lack of communication from the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.

“I'm tired of them not telling me what's going on in this case,” said Marisol Benavidez, the child's aunt.

James Chairez's remains were discovered in April 2021 under the trailer where he lived with his mother.

He had been reported missing four months earlier.

D'Lanny Chairez was initially charged with tampering with evidence and later, in 2022, with injury to a child.

Benavidez said she had expected a trial date this year, but the case was postponed again at a hearing this week.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. “It still hurts not knowing what happened to him,” she said. “To come here and feel the disappointment of her not coming out, there being no other answer, no process… it breaks my heart.”

Benavidez said she has received minimal updates from the prosecutor's office and often resorts to checking the status of the case online. She said her last direct communication with the office was in May.

“I don’t know when the trial will happen or anything,” Benavidez said. After learning of the recent delay, Benavidez attempted to contact her victim's attorney but was sent to voicemail.

In a response to KSAT, the prosecutor's office said, in part: “We maintain regular communication with the relative in this case, including announcing court dates in August, October and November.”

Benavidez told KSAT 12 that she kept a log and record of all communications and that the response was inaccurate.

“I don’t know what else we can do to get this going,” she said. “James is no longer here. I understand it. But let’s give him the justice he deserves.”

D'Lanny Chairez is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for tampering with evidence in the case. If the child injury case goes to trial, she could face life in prison if convicted.

Meanwhile, court documents indicate Chairez has requested a new attorney and a new court date has not been scheduled.