A Hastings mother has been charged with causing her young child's death while driving under the influence methamphetamine.
Two charges were filed against Valencia Marie Skipper last month, but she appeared for the first time before a registrar at Hastings District Court this morning.
Skipper faces a charge of driving a car, on January 13, and causing the death of Saphire Skipper-Hira, while under the influence of methamphetamine.
This is a category three offence which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment or a fine of $20,000.
The 21-year-old is also charged that on that same day, she was driving after having been forbidden due to being an unlicensed driver.