Wellington, New Zealand – A shocking case of child neglect unfolded on Sunday after a 2-year-old girl was found alive inside a suitcase in the luggage compartment of a long-distance bus.
The suitcase was discovered during a routine stop in Kaiwaka, a small town north of Auckland, according to Detective Inspector Simon Harrison of New Zealand Police.
A passenger had asked the driver for access to the luggage area. When the bus driver went to retrieve the bag, they noticed movement coming from one of the suitcases. Upon opening it, the driver found the young girl inside — overheated but thankfully still alive.
The little girl was immediately taken to a hospital where she remained Sunday night. She appeared to be physically unharmed but was suffering from heat exposure after being locked in the small space. Authorities have not said how long she was inside or where the bus journey began.
A woman was arrested shortly afterward and charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child, a serious offense under New Zealand law. Her name has not been made public. She is due to appear in court on Monday.
The bus involved belonged to InterCity, New Zealand’s main long-distance bus company. InterCity confirmed the incident and is cooperating fully with police investigations.
According to the company, children under 3 can travel for free if they sit on an adult’s lap. It’s unclear whether the woman arrested had tried to avoid paying for the child’s fare or had other motives.
Authorities have not revealed the relationship between the woman and the child or the reason why the girl was placed in the suitcase. Police are continuing to investigate how and why this happened, and whether others may be involved.
Social services are also involved to ensure the child’s long-term safety and care.
The disturbing discovery has drawn strong reactions across New Zealand, with many expressing shock and outrage online. Child welfare advocates are calling for stricter checks and more awareness on public transport systems to prevent similar incidents.
This is a developing story. More details are expected following the woman’s court appearance.
