Crystal Leanne Hanley released on bail after manslaughter charge

A Munno Para mother facing manslaughter charges over the death of her daughter will be free to return to her home, despite facing eviction.

A mother charged with the manslaughter of a child who died nine months ago has been released on bail to live at her “squalid” home from which she faces eviction, a court has heard.

Crystal Leanne Hanley, 47, of Munno Para appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for the first time via audio visual link from the City Watch House on Wednesday afternoon, charged with the manslaughter of her daughter Charlie Nowland, 6.

She sat with her head bowed as her lawyer, Taylor Johanson, sought her release on supervised bail.

Ms Hanley, who has previously used the surname Nowland, was arrested about 7am and charged with one count of manslaughter and four counts of criminal neglect.

Crystal Hanley leaves court after her bail hearing. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Charlie Nowland, 6, died nine months ago. Picture: Supplied

She was one of three people arrested and charged with manslaughter over separate and unrelated cases of child death.

Paper work for the other two accused, Makai’s father Shane Wanganeen and Jasmine Wilmott’s carer, Jenni Wilmott, was not filed in time for them to appear on Wednesday. They are instead expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Prosecutor Steven Whalan told the court police found Ms Hanley’s Housing SA home was “squalid, cluttered and a potential fire hazard”.

“It is not suitable for human habitation,” he said.

He said eviction proceedings had been lodged with SACAT.

Mr Whalan also said there were concerns Ms Hanley may interfere with evidence or witnesses and asked she be banned from speaking with a list of more than 20 people.

Ms Hanley spoke just once during the hearing to dispute that she was being evicted from her home, before she was asked to remain silent.

Ms Johanson said her client had a presumption in favour of bail.

She said Ms Hanley had been aware of the police investigation over the past nine months and there had been no suggestion of interference or any attempt to flee.

“Police have constantly been in contact with her regarding the proceedings. There has been no concerns raised througought that period of time,” she said.

“It’s only now that one of the final reports has come through that they have saw fit to arrest Ms Hanley.

Crystal Hanley leaves her Munno Para home with detectives on Wednesday morning. Picture: Supplied

“There is absolutely no risk of her reoffending, no risk absconding and no risk of her not complying (with bail).”

Police will allege each of Ms Hanley’s alleged offences occurred on July 15 last year – the same day Charlie was found unresponsive at her home.

Police will allege Charlie died from malnutrition after being found unresponsive at the Munno Para home.

The other criminal neglect charges relate to other children in Ms Hanley’s care who were aged between 8-14.

Magistrate Ben Sale described the charges as “extraordinarily serious” and released Ms Hanley on supervised bail.

Ms Hanley, who wove through moving traffic as she left court, will next appear in August.

In a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner (Crime) John Venditto said it was “unprecedented” three people had been arrested for the same serious offence in separate cases on the same day.

Ms Hanley faces a maximum prison term of life if convicted of the manslaughter charge and 15 years for each charge of criminal neglect, totalling 60 years.