A woman in New Zealand has been arrested after a two-year-old girl was found stuffed in a suitcase in the luggage compartment of a bus. Police were called to a bus stop in Kaiwaka, in the north of the country, on Sunday after the toddler was discovered.
A passenger asked for access to the luggage compartment, and the driver became concerned when he noticed one of the bags moving. He opened the suitcase to discover the child stuffed in there. New Zealand Police confirmed that a 27-year-old woman has now been charged with ill-treatment/neglect of a child and will appear in North Shore District Court today. The girl was taken to hospital where she remains amid medical assessments. Her relationship with the woman arrested is not yet known.
The force’s statement read: “The driver became concerned when he noticed the bag moving. When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the two-year-old girl.
“The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed.
“We would like to acknowledge and commend the bus driver, who noticed something wasn’t right and took immediate action, preventing what could have been a far worse outcome.”
Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison added: “We appreciate there is high public interest with what has happened.
“However given the circumstances concerning the child, and the matter being before the Court, we are unable to provide further comment.
“Our focus is on ensuring the child is well-supported and we are working with Oranga Tamariki in relation to this matter.”