Up-date.

She was allowed in without any problem.

My friend ask the immigration officer at Malaga airport what the rules are.

Apparently after the first Residencia is issued one can leave for up to 180 days.

After the second, up to a year

and after the third and onward, up to two years, although these periods can be extended on application for extreme situations, e.g. illness by subject or close relative etc.