Crystal Hanley remanded in custody after twice testing positive to methamphetamine

A mum charged with causing the death of her daughter Charlie through criminal neglect has tested positive to meth use while on bail, a court has heard.

A mother accused of causing the death of her young daughter through criminal neglect has had her bail revoked after testing positive for methamphetamine use while in the community.

Crystal Hanley, 47, of Munno Para, was charged with manslaughter over the June 2022 death of her daughter Charlie and four counts of criminal neglect.

On Monday, police prosecutors applied to the Adelaide Magistrates Court to revoke her bail and remand Ms Hanley in custody.

Magistrate John Wells heard that Ms Hanley had tested positive for methamphetamine on May 1 – shortly after being released on supervised bail.

She appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court and was spared any further penalty after spending 17 hours in custody following her arrest.

Crystal Hanley outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court after a hearing in April. Picture: Russell Millard Photography,

However, the prosecutor said that on May 19, 2023, only a week after appearing in court on the first breach of bail charge, Ms Hanley allegedly tested positive to methamphetamine use a second time.

The court heard that charge has not formally been laid yet and Ms Hanley has not entered a plea.

Prosecutors also argued there is a large amount of “acrimony” between Ms Hanley and her neighbours, who are likely to be called as witnesses in any trial of criminal neglect.

Finally, the prosecutor said Housing SA had given Ms Hanley an ultimatum about cleaning the property or she risked being evicted because of its state of “squalor”.

Charlie Nowland, aged 6, died in July 2022.

Charlie Nowland.

Madaline Anderson, for Ms Hanley, said her client had admitted relapsing into methamphetamine use after seeing graffiti which labelled her a “child killer”.

Ms Anderson said Ms Hanley was working on meeting Housing SA’s requirements which would allow her to keep living in her home of five years.

Mr Wells revoked Ms Hanley’s bail, but at the same time ordered a home detention report – indicating he would contemplate releasing her on stricter conditions.

She will appear in court again next week. Ms Hanley appeared confused as she was led out of court by Sheriff’s officers.

Ms Hanley was charged in April alongside the parents of two other children who police allege died as a result of criminal neglect.

Prosecutors initially opposed Ms Hanley’s release on bail, but Magistrate Ben Sale allowed her to return to her “squalid” home on strict bail.

Ms Hanley’s six-year-old daughter Charlie died on July 15, 2022, after being found unresponsive at the family home.

Ms Hanley has maintained her innocence and has indicated she will fight the charges.