Man 'swipes laptop' from children's ward

A man has been charged for stealing a computer from a children's ward at the Cairns Hospital.

It's alleged the 38-year-old Papua New Guinea man swiped the laptop on Thursday morning while visiting the hospital with a relative who was receiving medical treatment.

The laptop was found in waterproof covering and hidden under foliage at a nearby unit complex and has since been returned to the ward.

The man was charged with stealing and is due to face Cairns Magistrates Court on February 17.