10/26/2012

Abducted baby found dead; suspect in custody

Pennsylvania State Police via AP

Saanvi Venna, 10 months old, in an undated photo provided by police. Police issued an Amber Alert for her on Monday after her grandmother, who had been babysitting, was found slain and the baby missing.

By Kari Huus, NBC News

A 10-month-old Pennsylvania girl abducted after her grandmother, who was babysitting, was slain has been found dead, NBC10 in Philadelphia reported Friday.

Police have arrested a man who lives in the complex in connection with the death. They said they believe the man initially intended to kidnap the child and hold her for ransom. Investigators found a ransom note demanding $50,000 in the suspect's apartment.

The baby was suffocated and stuffed into a suitcase found hidden in the gym at the family's apartment complex, the Marquis Apartments, NBC10 said, citing Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri-Ferman.


The man was expected to be arraigned Friday afternoon, according to the television station.

The baby, Saanvi Venna, was last seen with her grandmother Satyavathi Venna, 61, who was staying with the baby's family in their home in King of Prussia, Pa., about 15 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

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The grandmother was found dead, with cuts to her neck and chest — ruled a homicide by the Montgomery County coroner on Thursday — and the baby was discovered missing.

The grandmother had been visiting from India since July, authorities said.

Investigators issued an Amber Alert just before 5 p.m. Monday after the child's father and murder victim's son, Venkata Konda Siva Venna, found the woman's body and realized his daughter was missing.

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Police say Venna left work to check on the pair after receiving a call from a worried relative who was unable to reach them.

The baby's mother, Chenchu Latha Punuru, was at work when Venna was killed and the child was taken, police said.

A reward for information leading to the safe return of the child had jumped from $30,000 to $50,000 on Thursday.

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