Child Rescued From Suitcase on New Zealand Bus

A 2-year-old girl was found alive but overheated in a suitcase in the luggage compartment of an InterCity bus traveling from Whangārei to Auckland, New Zealand. The bus driver discovered the child during a scheduled stop in Kaiwaka after noticing the suitcase moving, preventing a potentially worse outcome. The girl, wearing only a nappy, had been in the compartment for nearly an hour and was taken to hospital, where she was found to be physically unharmed but 'very hot.' A 27-year-old woman, believed to be the girl's mother and recently returned from Australia, has been charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child and appeared in North Shore District Court. Authorities continue to investigate and have not ruled out further charges, while child welfare services have been notified. The incident has prompted local concern and debate over child safety standards.