Woman Arrested After Child Found in Suitcase in New Zealand

A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in New Zealand after authorities discovered she was attempting to conceal a two-year-old child inside a suitcase during a long-distance bus journey.

The incident occurred on Sunday during an InterCity coach service travelling from Auckland to Whangarei.

The situation came to light during a scheduled stop when a passenger requested access to the luggage compartment. The bus driver, upon investigating a suspiciously moving suitcase, opened the bag and found the child inside.

Police Inspector Simon Harrison stated that although the child did not sustain visible injuries, she was suffering from overheating and was immediately transferred to the hospital for medical evaluation. She remained under observation overnight. 

Authorities did not disclose the duration for which the child was enclosed in the suitcase.

The woman, whose identity has not been made public, is expected to face charges of child abuse when she appears before a judge on Monday.

Police expressed grave concerns regarding the potential risks to the child, including suffocation, carbon monoxide exposure, heatstroke, and lasting psychological trauma. Inspector Harrison described the woman’s actions as a severe breach of her duties as the child’s guardian.

InterCity, the operator of the bus, clarified that children under the age of three travel free of charge but must be seated on a guardian’s lap throughout the journey.

Inspector Harrison commended the vigilance and swift response of the bus driver, noting that his intervention likely prevented a more tragic outcome.