The InterCity bus had stopped in Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, as regularly scheduled, when a passenger requested to get into the luggage area.
One bag was moving, and the bus driver spotted it, said Detective Inspector Simon Harrison. ~1969 The young girl was sweating profusely, but otherwise OK when the driver opened the compartment.
It was not disclosed how long the child was locked in the suitcase, or precisely which route the bus took. The toddler was taken to the hospital for evaluation and remained there Sunday night.
Woman Charged with Child Neglect
The woman, who has not been named, was cuffed on Sunday and charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child. Court Appearance Set For Monday. Her identity has not been made public by police.
The involved bus company, InterCity, told local news outlets that children under three travel free on an adult's lap. The company has not publicly discussed how the suitcase was able to avoid detection during boarding.
It has spurred fears for child safety and appalled communities around the country. Authorities are continuing their investigation.
