Antigua and Barbuda – Almost one year after the body of 16-year-old Yennefer Bridge was discovered along Victory Drive, her mother, Ulisa, is still seeking justice, raising troubling questions about the response to gender-based violence and systemic barriers faced by vulnerable communities.

Yennefer, a student at Jennings Secondary School and mother to a young child, was reportedly in an abusive relationship with a significantly older man. According to her mother, the teenager was hospitalized multiple times due to injuries sustained in the relationship. Despite efforts to involve law enforcement, no one has been arrested in connection with her death.

Ulisa, who migrated from the Dominican Republic over a decade ago, said that her attempts to report the abuse were met with indifference. She alleges that language barriers contributed to the inaction. “They told me they didn’t understand my English,” she recalled.

The teen was found dead in May 2024. Her two-year-old son was discovered wandering alone along Jonas Road hours later and taken into protective care. He now lives with his father. Ulisa says she is working toward gaining legal custody of her grandson.

“She was innocent. She trusted people,” she said, adding that the family remains in the dark about the progress of the investigation. “Many people know what happened, but no one is saying anything.”

The case has reignited concerns about the protection of young women and girls, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, and the adequacy of support services for victims of domestic abuse.

No recent updates have been issued by police. The investigation remains open.