A woman in New Zealand was arrested on a child neglect charge after a shocking discovery was made aboard an InterCity bus. During a routine stop in Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, a bus driver opened the luggage compartment and found a 2-year-old girl alive inside a suitcase. The driver had noticed movement in the bag after a passenger requested access to the stored luggage.
Detective Inspector Simon Harrison reported that the toddler, while very hot, appeared physically unharmed. Authorities have not revealed how long the child was in the suitcase or the specific route the bus was taking. The girl was immediately taken to a hospital for evaluation and remained there overnight for observation.
Woman Charged After Toddler Found in Suitcase on InterCity Bus in New Zealand
The woman responsible for placing the child in the suitcase was arrested and charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child. Her identity was not released by law enforcement, and she was expected to appear in court the following Monday. The seriousness of the incident has raised significant concern among the public and authorities.
InterCity, the bus company involved, confirmed the incident and clarified that children under the age of 3 can travel free of charge if seated on an adult’s lap. This detail has raised further questions about the woman’s motives for concealing the child in the luggage compartment rather than keeping her in the passenger area.
