Indiana Woman Allegedly Stuffed Toddler Into Suitcase to 'Keep Him Warm' While Onboard a City Bus, Police Say

An Indiana woman allegedly stuffed a toddler into a suitcase to "keep him warm" while onboard a city bus, according to police.

Police said that they received a call after a bus driver allegedly overheard Ashley Gibson, 29, saying that she had a child inside the suitcase she had climbed onboard the bus with. After hearing this, the driver stopped the bus and Gibson took the 2-year-old out of the suitcase, according to court documents obtained by FOX 59.

Officials noted that despite the boy being dressed in a winter coat and pants, Gibson told officers that she had put the 2-year-old in the suitcase to "keep him warm." The woman added that she had allegedly been told this was OK to do by a family caseworker, court documents stated according to WBIW.

Gibson was reportedly on the bus for nearly 20 minutes before the child was removed from the suitcase.

While the incident occurred Dec. 12, a warrant was placed for Gibson's arrest on Jan. 9 and she was arrested Jan. 14. She was charged with neglect and criminal recklessness, which she pleaded not guilty to at a Jan. 15 hearing.

The 29-year-old was later released from jail, and is due back in court March 12.