Toddler spent close to an hour in suitcase in bus luggage hold, wearing only a diaper
The toddler was found alive in the suitcase on Sunday afternoon, local time, by a driver of an InterCity bus from Whangārei to Auckland.
A 27-year-old woman was due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday charged with ill treatment of a child.
The child had been in the suitcase for nearly an hour wearing only a nappy, Radio New Zealand reported.
Police were called after a passenger asked for access to the luggage compartment during a planned stop in Kaiwaka, Northland.
Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said the driver became concerned when he noticed the bag moving.
"When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the two-year-old girl," he said.
Mr Harrison said the little girl was reported to be "very hot", but otherwise unharmed.
She was taken to hospital in a "minor" condition for an extensive medical assessment.
"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," Mr Harrison said.
"Police inquiries into this incident are ongoing and further charges cannot be ruled out. Oranga Tamariki has also been notified."
An InterCity spokesperson said the company was aware of an incident involving a passenger on one of its services earlier on Sunday.
"Police were called to respond, and they are now investigating the matter.
"No-one was harmed during the incident and the service has resumed. As this is now an active police investigation, we are unable to comment further."
Locals in Kaiwaka said they were shocked and saddened to hear what happened to the toddler.
Kristel Faber, who worked in the Kaiwaka Cheese Shop, said the incident was "bizarre".
"Just the thought of someone having that idea, putting a toddler in a suitcase … How can people think about doing that …"
Another local woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said the situation was very sad.
"I was deeply saddened to hear such a thing. I mean who does that, puts their child in a suitcase, and the suitcase is locked away with the other luggage?"
She said knowing the toddler was alive and physically unharmed was a relief.
"I can't fathom how the bag was put in the bottom of the bus and not identified that there was movement in there at the time," she said.
This story was originally published by Radio New Zealand.
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