A woman from South Australia, Crystal Hanley, 49, has pleaded guilty to criminal neglect nearly three years following the tragic death of her six-year-old daughter, Charlie Nowland. This plea comes after prosecutors decided to drop a charge of manslaughter against her. In July 2022, Charlie was discovered unresponsive in their Munno Para home, which was reported to be in a state of squalor. Despite being taken to hospital, she sadly passed away, with malnutrition being the suspected cause.
Hanley has been contesting charges of both manslaughter and neglect for the past three years. However, just a week before her trial was set to commence, she admitted guilt to three counts of criminal neglect, including charges related to Charlie and other children. During the court proceedings, it was noted that Charlie’s death resulted from Hanley’s failure to protect her from harm.
Charlie’s grandmothers expressed relief that the case will not proceed to trial. Melissa Nowland, one of the grandmothers, stated that the family is grateful for the plea, emphasising the emotional toll of the trauma they had already experienced. Her grandmother Sandra Patrick shared similar sentiments, appreciating the decision to avoid further distress.
Hanley’s legal counsel has requested an extended adjournment to gather a substantial amount of evidence, which reportedly pertains to her previous experiences as a victim of domestic violence. Since her arrest in 2022, Hanley has faced ongoing legal troubles, including multiple breaches of her bail conditions attributed to drug use. Currently, she remains in custody and is expected to be sentenced in August.