Bloomington Woman Faces Charges for Child in Suitcase

Ashley Gibson, a 29-year-old woman from Bloomington, faces charges of neglect and criminal recklessness after allegedly placing her 2-year-old son inside a suitcase while boarding a city bus. The incident occurred on December 12, 2024, when the bus driver alerted police after Gibson mentioned having a child in her luggage. Video footage captured her removing the child from the suitcase approximately 18 minutes after boarding. Gibson claimed she put the child in the suitcase to keep him warm, despite the toddler being properly dressed for the cold weather. She also stated that a family caseworker had advised her that it was acceptable to do so. Gibson has been released on her own recognizance and is scheduled for a jury trial in April 2025.