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Topics: Crime, World News
Jen Thomas
Authorities in New Zealand have issued an update following the horrifying discovery of a two-year-old girl stuffed inside a suitcase, in the luggage compartment of a bus.
Fortunately the toddler was discovered alive and unharmed on Sunday (3 August), after the driver found her cruelly zipped inside the bag.
She was discovered in a bag on the bus, as they travelled through Kaiwaka, around 60 miles north of Auckland.
The youngster was found after a passenger asked the driver for access to the luggage compartment when they made a planned rest stop.
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The eagle-eyed driver noticed movement in one of the bags, and took it off the bus to open it.
A child was found inside.
A 27-year-old woman has now been arrested and charged with ill-treatment and neglect of a child, and she faces up to 10 years in prison under New Zealand law.
Police have released a statement following the discovery, and gave an update on the tot's condition.
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Detective Chief Simon Harrison told the press: "The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed."
He also praised the bus driver for his quick thinking, saying he 'noticed something wasn't right and took immediate action, preventing what could have been a far worse outcome'.
The two-year-old has been taken to hospital and is still undergoing a medical assessment.
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The relationship between the woman and the child has not been shared.
Following her arrest, the woman appeared in the North Shore District Court today (4 August).
Police confessed they do not know how long the young girl was inside the suitcase for.
A local news outlet, Stuff, accessed court records which says the woman was travelling from Whangārei to Auckland.
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The woman could still face additional charges.
New Zealand’s ministry for children, Oranga Tamariki, has been informed, as well as the children's services system.
Entrada Travel Group, who operate the national Intercity bus line in New Zealand, confirmed the girl was found on one of their vehicles and issued a statement: "Police were called to respond and are investigating the matter.
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"No one was harmed during the incident, and the service resumed."
The company states on its website that a child up to the age of two can travel for free if seated on their guardian's lap.
Any child over the age of three must travel with a ticket.
According to the New York Times, the judge granted an order that the woman should remain anonymous.
She did not enter a plea, and remains in police custody.
The woman is due to appear in court again on Tuesday after undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.