New Zealand Woman Arrested After 2-Year-Old Girl Found Alive in Bus Suitcase
A shocking discovery on a New Zealand bus has led to the arrest of a woman after a 2-year-old girl was found alive inside a suitcase stored in the vehicle’s luggage compartment.
According to authorities, the incident occurred during a planned stop at the settlement of Kaiwaka, located north of Auckland. A passenger requested access to the luggage area, prompting the bus driver to open the compartment. Upon doing so, the driver noticed suspicious movement from one of the bags.
Inside was the toddler, very hot but thankfully alive and showing no immediate signs of physical injury. Detective Inspector Simon Harrison of New Zealand Police confirmed in a statement that the child was taken to a hospital for evaluation and remained under medical care as of Sunday night, local time.
Police have not disclosed the woman’s identity nor the specific cities involved in the route, but they confirmed the suspect was charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child. She was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The InterCity bus company, which operates long-distance coach services across New Zealand, confirmed the incident involved one of its buses. The company stated that while children under the age of three can travel free when seated on an adult’s lap, there is no circumstance under which a child should be stowed in luggage.
“This is an extremely disturbing event,” a company spokesperson told local media. “We are cooperating fully with authorities and conducting an internal review.”
The precise duration the child spent inside the suitcase remains unknown. The police have not released details about whether the woman arrested is the child’s mother or guardian, nor the motive behind the act.
Child protection services and law enforcement are continuing their investigation, and the case has sparked national concern about child welfare and bus passenger safety.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.
The discovery of the child, described as miraculous by some local officials, has prompted renewed calls for vigilance and stronger protective measures for vulnerable children in New Zealand.
