Woman, 27, Arrested After 2-Year-Old Girl Is Found Stowed Inside Suitcase in Bus Luggage Compartment

A 27-year-old woman in New Zealand has been arrested after a 2-year-old girl was discovered inside a suitcase stored in a bus’s luggage compartment.

The incident occurred on Sunday, Aug. 3, around 12:50 p.m. local time, when New Zealand Police were alerted after a passenger requested access to the luggage compartment during a scheduled stop in Kaiwaka, located on the North Island.

According to a police statement, the bus driver became concerned after noticing movement in a bag. When the suitcase was opened, a two-year-old girl was found inside.

The woman, whose identity has not been released, has been arrested and charged with child ill-treatment or neglect. She is expected to appear in Auckland’s North Shore District Court on Monday, Aug. 4.

“The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed,” said Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison of Waitematā’s Criminal Investigation Branch. The child was transported to a hospital, where she remains under extensive medical evaluation.

The InterCity bus had been traveling from Whangārei to Auckland, reported Radio New Zealand (RNZ). The outlet also noted that the child had been in the suitcase for nearly an hour, dressed only in a diaper.

Harrison commended the quick thinking of the bus driver: “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.”

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible. Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand’s Ministry for Children, has been notified.

In a follow-up update, Harrison confirmed the toddler is “medically well.”

“We are working with whānau (family) and our partner agencies to ensure the child is cared for,” he said. “We appreciate that 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.”

New Zealand Police had no additional updates when contacted on Monday, Aug. 4. PEOPLE also reached out to Oranga Tamariki and InterCity for comment but did not receive an immediate response.