Police have a suspect in custody after discovering the body of a baby that was abducted from an Upper Merion apartment Monday, according to sources.
Investigators say that 10-month-old Saanvi Venna was found dead, hidden in the gym in the family's apartment complex, the Marquis Apartments, on the 200 block of West Dekalb Pike.
25-year-old Raghunandan Yandamuri, who also lives in the complex, is in police custody.
Police believe Yandamuri's went to the Venna's apartment on Monday with the intention of kidnapping the child and holding her for ransom. Investigators say they found a ransom note in the apartment demanding $50,000.
But police say Saanvi's grandmother, Satyavathi Venna, 61, who was babysitting the child, fought for her granddaughter. They say Yandamuri fatally stabbed her. During the struggle Saanvi cried and Yandamuri put a hankerchief in her mouth, wrapped her in a towel and put her in a suitcase, said investigators. They say he left the suitcase in the basement of one of the apartment buildings.
According to police, Yandamuri aided in family searches for Saanvi, printed missing flyers and waited with family members at Upper Merion Police, offering support.
Yandamuri acted alone, said police.
He'll be charged with the murders of both Saanvi and Satyavathi Venna, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri-Ferman.
