Mom allegedly boarded bus with child in suitcase to ‘keep him warm’

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (TCN) — A 29-year-old woman was taken into custody after she allegedly boarded a bus with her toddler son stuffed inside a suitcase.

According to court records cited by WXIN-TV, Ashley Gibson reportedly walked on the bus on Dec. 18 at 1:43 p.m., and took a seat near the front. The driver allegedly heard Gibson mention that her 2-year-old son was inside the suitcase, so the driver stopped the bus. Video footage reportedly shows Gibson taking her son out 18 minutes after she boarded public transit.

Bloomington Police Department officers arrived at the scene, and Gibson allegedly told them that she zipped her son up in order to “keep him warm.” The little boy, however, was reportedly wearing pants and a parka. Gibson also claimed her caseworker “told her it was OK” to leave him in there.

Police arrested her on charges of neglect of a dependent and criminal recklessness. Gibson pleaded not guilty at her hearing on Jan. 15. She posted bond and is scheduled to head to trial in April.

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