Mother appears in court charged with neglect

A mother has appeared in court facing criminal neglect charges following the tragic death of a baby in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

Crystal Manneken, 31, briefly stood in the dock at Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, having been charged with criminal neglect.

The charges relate to an incident on March 4, when emergency services were called to a home in Elizabeth Downs after the sudden death of an infant.

Police said at the time, despite the best efforts of paramedics at the scene, the child could not be saved.

It has been alleged that the nine-month-old baby boy died after being found unresponsive inside a minivan at the family home.

During the brief court appearance, Miss Manneken’s first since charges were laid, no details of the alleged offence were given.

Miss Manneken spoke only to tell the magistrate that she was waiting to hear back regarding legal aid.

Magistrate Rodney Oates told her: “I would urge you to get a lawyer as this is a very serious matter.”

Miss Manneken did not speak to waiting media as she left court, and the case was adjourned until December 15.