MONTEGO BAY, St James — Proceedings in the high-profile trial of 16 members of the Qahal Yahweh religious group were postponed on Thursday in the St James Parish Court before Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce.

The adjournment came after the prosecution was unable to proceed due to the absence of its final witness, the investigating officer, who the court was told was impacted by the recent hurricane. Bail for all 16 accused was extended.

Since the trial began on April 8, 2024, the court has heard testimony from five prosecution witnesses. Those who have taken the stand include a former member of the Qahal Yahweh group; three representatives of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency; and an assistant registrar from the Ministry of Education’s Independent Schools Branch.

The defendants — Christopher Anderson, Omar Thompson, Jevaughn Thompson, Nekeisha Harding, Derrick Clarke, Roanalee Maitland, Alicia Meadley, Fabian Nelson, Franchain Paris, Jodian Spence, Jose Foskin, Oral Spence, Rayon Letman, Ingrid Williams, Vera Woolery, and Melisha Thompson — are represented by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie, along with attorney Samoi Campbell. They are charged under the Child Care and Protection Act and the Education Act.

The charges arise from a June 7, 2023 operation at the group’s compound in Paradise, Norwood, St James, where 23 children were rescued and placed in state care. A subsequent police raid on June 30 led to the arrest and charging of the 16 individuals now before the court.

Qahal Yahweh has long drawn public scrutiny. In 2019, six children — including a pregnant 16-year-old — were removed from the same compound amid allegations of child marriage, abduction, human trafficking, abuse, and sexual assault.

The matter has been rescheduled for January 16, 2026.