Overview
- Crystal Leanne Hanley, 49, has pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal neglect, including over six-year-old Charlie’s death, with other neglect counts and a manslaughter charge dropped.
- Prosecutors said Charlie died on July 15, 2022 from cardiac failure linked to anaemia and severe iron deficiency after prolonged malnutrition.
- An emergency nurse testified the child weighed about 18 kilograms, was riddled with lice and was so filthy hospital staff could not provide a clean resting body.
- A detective described the Munno Para home’s stench and squalor as unlike anything he had seen, calling what happened to Charlie an atrocity.
- The prosecution alleged Hanley repeatedly lied about seeking care and showed callous disregard, the defence cited methamphetamine dependence, and Hanley remains in custody as sentencing is set for a later date.