Forgotten girl found in office by cleaners

A forgotten 14-year-old was found by cleaners at a Ministry for Vulnerable Children office in Auckland after it had closed.

The ministry confirmed the girl had been left there by staff, who closed the office about 7.30pm and walked off, leaving her there.

She was found by cleaners at 8pm.

Deputy ministry chief executive Glynis Sandland said the incident happened about six weeks ago and was ‘‘completely unacceptable’’.

‘‘There were a number of points on the day in question when this could have been prevented,’’ Sandland said.

Police had dropped the girl off at the Vulnerable Children’s office about 1pm and she was put in a ‘‘nice quiet room’’ Sandland said.

A family member arrived to collect the girl that afternoon, but left before staff returned with the girl to pass her into the family member’s custody.

The girl was then left unsupervised and forgotten by ministry staff, before being discovered by cleaners.

‘‘The situation of a young person being left in one of our offices unsupervised is completely unacceptable,’’ Sandland said.

‘‘The cleaners did the right thing and called the police, who came to the office and contacted our staff.’’

Sandland said an employment investigation was under way regarding the incident and that she could not comment further ‘‘as staff have a right to due process’’.

The girl is living with family. to sleep,