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Topics: Parenting, World News, News, Travel
Lucy Devine
Police have provided an update on the case of a two-year-old girl who was found alive inside a suitcase underneath a bus this week.
The toddler, from New Zealand, was discovered inside a suitcase that was being stored in a bus luggage compartment during a journey through Kaiwaka.
The vehicle was travelling from Whangārei south to Auckland.
While making a planned stop minutes earlier, a passenger on board asked the driver for access to the luggage compartment.
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After opening the doors to the space underneath the bus, the driver reportedly noticed movement inside one of the suitcases being stored and decided to investigate.
The bag in question was immediately opened, and a child was discovered inside.
According to Detective Chief Simon Harrison, who subsequently spoke to press, the girl was found 'very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed'.
Now, there's been a major update in the investigation after a 27-year-old woman was arrested and charged with ill-treatment or neglect of the girl.
The woman was denied bail during her second appearance in the North Shore District Court on Monday (4 August).
She has also been referred to a mental health unit within custody, and is yet to enter a plea.
According to reports, the woman stood with her head bowed and facing the wall during her appearance.
The woman's relationship to the child is still currently unknown.
Following the incident, the toddler was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where she remained throughout the day to be assessed by medical staff.
Entrada Travel Group, the operating firm of New Zealand's national bus line InterCity, later confirmed to NBC that the child had been found inside one of its line of vehicles.
The travel group elaborated in an official statement: "Police were called to respond and are investigating the matter.
"No one was harmed during the incident, and the service resumed."
The bus line explained that children aged two can travel for free on a guardian's lap, while those aged over three require a ticket at a discounted price.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Police said in a statement: "The driver became concerned when he noticed the bag moving. When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the two-year-old girl.
"The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed. We would like to acknowledge and commend the bus driver, who noticed something wasn't right and took immediate action."