A 29-year-old woman from Indiana has been arrested after allegedly boarding a city bus with a 2-year-old child zipped inside a suitcase. The woman, identified as Ashley N. Gibson, claimed that she was trying to “keep him warm” when questioned by authorities. She has been charged with felony child neglect and misdemeanor criminal recklessness.
The incident occurred on December 12, 2024, aboard a Bloomington Transit bus. The bus driver became suspicious when Gibson boarded the bus carrying a rolling suitcase and immediately noticed that there was something unusual about the bag. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the suitcase contained a child. The driver pulled over near West 3rd Street and promptly called 911.
When officers arrived, they reviewed surveillance footage from inside the bus. The footage revealed that Gibson had boarded the bus at 1:43 p.m. and sat near the front of the vehicle. This meant that the child had been zipped inside the suitcase for at least 18 minutes, a detail that alarmed authorities.
Gibson reportedly explained to the officers that the child, who was 2 years old, had been placed inside the suitcase to keep him warm. However, the officers found her explanation troubling, as the child was dressed appropriately for the cold weather. He was wearing a puffy winter jacket and long pants, and the temperature that day had reached a high of around 37 degrees Fahrenheit, which should have been sufficient to keep him warm.
When questioned further, Gibson claimed that she had spoken with her family caseworker about the situation, and the caseworker had told her that it was acceptable to keep the child inside the suitcase. However, this explanation did little to assuage the officers’ concerns. They noted that the child had been placed in a dangerous situation, as being confined inside a suitcase could have posed serious risks to his health and safety, including suffocation or injury.
A probable cause affidavit filed by the Bloomington Police Department stated that Gibson’s actions had endangered the child’s life or health by placing him inside the suitcase, zipping it up, and subjecting him to a potentially harmful environment. The affidavit also recommended that Gibson face criminal charges for child neglect and recklessness.
Gibson was arrested and taken into custody by the Bloomington Police Department. She was transported to the Monroe County Jail for processing. During her initial court appearance on January 16, 2025, Gibson pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was represented by a public defender, and the judge set her release on her own recognizance, contingent upon her compliance with conditions set by the Indiana Department of Child Services. These conditions include ongoing monitoring of the child’s well-being and a requirement for Gibson to attend counseling or other services deemed necessary.
Gibson’s case has drawn significant attention due to the bizarre and concerning nature of the incident. The fact that a child was allegedly placed inside a suitcase for an extended period, with no apparent justification, has raised questions about the woman’s mental state and the adequacy of the support systems in place for her and her child.
Gibson’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 9, 2025, for a pretrial conference. A jury trial is set to begin on April 23, 2025. If convicted on both charges, Gibson could face a maximum sentence of 2 1/2 years in prison.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern, with many questioning how such an incident could occur. It has also raised broader issues about child welfare and the need for more comprehensive support for families in crisis. While the details of Gibson’s situation remain unclear, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding children’s well-being and ensuring that they are not placed in dangerous or harmful situations.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community and child welfare advocates are closely monitoring the case, hoping that it will lead to greater awareness and stronger protections for vulnerable children. The incident also highlights the importance of vigilance in recognizing signs of neglect or abuse and taking swift action to protect children from harm.
