In sad images, the heartbroken mother of a little girl who died from starvation finally lay to rest her “cheeky little monkey.”
Charlie Nowland, age six, was discovered unconscious on July 15 at her family’s housing commission residence in Munno Para, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Later it was discovered that Charlie had celiac disease, a serious immunological illness that may have contributed to her shocking demise.
On Thursday, at a brief ceremony supported by the South Australian government, Crystal Nowland was inconsolable as she said her last goodbyes to her youngest daughter at a funeral home in Elizabeth.
She and Charlie’s brothers and sisters donned rainbow-tie-dye hoodies in remembrance of the little girl’s enthusiasm for vivid hues.
Charlie’s white casket was covered with colourful flowers, a plush monkey, the handprints of her siblings, and paper red hearts.
As they embraced Ms. Nowland, who is still the focus of an ongoing criminal investigation, mourners held toy animals in their hands.
There are no charges pending against her, and Daily Mail Australia makes no inference that she is to blame for the passing of her daughter.
In an emotional tribute, Ms. Nowland remembered the outgoing child’s wicked sense of humour, gentle heart, and fondness for dancing on TikTok and posing for pictures.
She informed the mourning, “Nothing prepares you for the loss of your kid.”
Charlie, we all love and miss you very much, but we know you’re okay since you’re with the cheeky monkey angels up there.
The service was streamed live from behind bars as Charlie’s father, who is doing time for stabbing the girl’s mother over two years ago, was refused day parole.
During a picture display honouring Charlie’s life, mourners munched on cupcakes while her favourite songs were played.
Her favourite camping location along the Murray River will be the site of her ashes’ scattering.
Ms. Nowland claims she is still in shock and heartbreak five weeks later.
I miss her kind spirit.
After the ceremony, she spoke to the Adelaide Advertiser about her mother. “She always knew when someone was down or unhappy and she’d go up and give them an embrace and reassure them that everything would be all right and she’d sit with them and hold them while they were sobbing,” she said.
“I miss her terribly.” I miss everything about her, therefore I can’t single out one item.
She ought to be out here smiling, giggling, and dancing. She ought to be playing practical jokes like she did, riding her bike, and being cheeky to her dad on the phone.
Prior to her passing, Ms. Nowland had maintained that she had been unaware that Charlie had celiac disease. The little girl had inherited heart problems, the coroner also informed her.
Within a week after Charlie’s passing, she said, “I’m not a perfect mother, but I’m not the mother they’ve made me out to be.”
She said that her spouse had been imprisoned for stabbing her three times in January of last year and that she had requested more help from family services. Her children had never gone without food, she said.
After the horrifying incident that happened in front of Charlie, Ms. Nowland struggled to recall how to cook rice or operate a vehicle, had to relearn how to walk, and had seizures.
The single-parenting classes she sought, however, were never offered, and despite her requests for assistance, the number of times she was visited by wellness workers did not rise.
Two days before Charlie died, the department paid her a visit, although they didn’t appear too concerned about her wellbeing.
In the three weeks before to Charlie’s murder, neighbours allege they phoned the department eight times. The organisation is said to have more than 500 case notes pertaining to the little child.
They think that by doing nothing, the department contributed to Charlie’s passing.
One person commented, “It wasn’t her (Charlie’s mother), it was the state that failed.”
The contacts between Charlie’s family and the state’s human services, child protection, education, and housing agencies will be examined by the state government to see if any “lessons” may have been learnt.
Which services were used, how they cooperated, how successful they were, and what adjustments may be needed will be decided by the top executive of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
According to South Australian Police, Task Force Prime’s investigation into Charlie’s death is still ongoing.