The toddler was alive but very hot after reportedly being in the suitcase for nearly an hour, wearing only a nappy

During a planned stop on Sunday at the settlement of Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, a passenger asked for access to the luggage compartment. Looking in, the bus driver “became concerned when he noticed the bag moving”, Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said in a statement.

When the driver opened the suitcase, he discovered the two-year-old girl, who was very hot but otherwise appeared physically unharmed, Harrison said.

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