Police in Townsville investigate local ECEC service after child is allegedly left in bus

Townsville Police are investigating an incident which occurred late last week when a child was allegedly left on a minibus outside a long day care service. 

The four-year-old girl was said to have been found in the minibus at approximately 10:30 am, having been left unattended for approximately an hour, police said. A spokesperson for Queensland Ambulance confirmed that the child was taken to Townsville University Hospital as a precaution as she was conscious, alert and breathing normally when they arrived, before later being discharged.

Acting Superintendent Chris Lawson from Queensland Police described the incident as one which was “very disturbing” and could have had tragic consequences, before confirming that the Child Protection Unit was continuing their investigation.

“The Queensland police service investigators will be working closely with the regulators through the Department of Education to make sure that all the processes that they have in place are appropriate,” he told the ABC.

Acting Superintendent Lawson urged anyone in the area who may have CCTV footage to contact the police to support with timing around when the events are alleged to have occurred.

To access the ABC coverage of this story, see here.