Woman charged after toddler found in suitcase on bus in Kaiwaka, Northland

A 2-year-old girl was found in a suitcase in a bus luggage compartment. Photo / Getty Images

A woman has been charged after a toddler was found in a suitcase on a bus.

Police said officers were called about 12.50pm on Sunday after a passenger asked to access the luggage department during a planned stop in Kaiwaka, a small town in Northland.

“The driver became concerned when he noticed the bag moving,” said Detective Inspector Simon Harrison, Acting Field Crime Manager Waitematā.

“When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the 2-year-old little girl.”

The girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared unharmed.

She was taken to the hospital for a thorough medical assessment.

A 27-year-old woman was arrested and charged with ill-treatment/neglect of a child.

She is scheduled to appear in North Shore District Court on August 4.

“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,” Harrison said.

The investigation is ongoing, and further charges have not been ruled out.

Oranga Tamariki has also been notified.

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