A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in New Zealand after allegedly placing a two-year-old child inside a suitcase during a bus journey. She appeared in North Shore District Court on Monday, facing charges of child neglect and ill-treatment.
The incident happened when a bus driver noticed a bag moving during a scheduled stop at a depot in Kaiwaka, about 100km north of Auckland. Concerned, the driver opened the suitcase and discovered the young girl inside. Police said the child was “very hot” but did not have visible injuries.
Detective Inspector Simon Harrison praised the bus driver for acting quickly. And saying their actions may have prevented a much worse outcome. The child was immediately taken to a hospital for a full medical check-up.
According to court documents, the woman had been traveling from Whangārei to Aucklandnd. And had placed the toddler inside a closed suitcase in the bus’s luggage compartment. Authorities have notified New Zealand’s Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki, which is now involved in the case.
Intercity, the bus company operating the service, confirmed the incident and said that police were called to handle the situation. The company stated that no passengers were harmed and the bus service continued after the child was rescued.
Police are continuing their investigation, and no further details about the woman or her relationship to the child have been released. The court will decide the next steps in the case as child welfare agencies ensure the toddler’s safety.
