Still no plea to alleged negligence

A Whanganui mother who allegedly left her 1-year-old child locked in a car in a public place overnight has still not pleaded to the charge.

She earlier denied further charges of leaving a child under 14 without reasonable supervision, and supplying meth. She appeared in the Whanganui District Court yesterday.

Judge David Cameron granted the 30-year-old interim name suppression, as identifying her could identify the child.

It is alleged the woman was found intoxicated beside a locked car on Boxing Day. Police took her away to prevent her driving, but it is claimed she did not tell them the baby was in the vehicle. It is understood the child was not harmed in the incident.

A charging document said the woman failed to provide the necessities of life by leaving the child "in a vehicle untended overnight in a public place" and said it was a major departure from the standard of care expected of a reasonable person.

While on bail for that charge, she is alleged to have committed the further crimes, including supplying cannabis and driving while suspended, both of which she has pleaded guilty to.

Defence lawyer Peter Brosnahan said he had still not received full disclosure from police, so applied for an extension of time to enter a plea, which Judge Cameron granted. The woman will next appear in court on March 8.