A family friend also of Indian origin, identified as Raghunanean Yaneadamuri, who lived in the same complex has been arrested. The girl, investigators said, had been killed in a botched ransom kidnapping. Yaneadamuri is also believed to have killed Saanvi Venna’s paternal grandmother Satyathi, who had been found dead at their home on the day of the kidnapping on Monday. She had been babysitting Saanvi at the time.

Saanvi’s body was found around 4.30 am in the basement of a building in the same Upper Merion Township apartment complex where she lived.

Yaneadamuri killed 61-year-old Satyavathi while trying to abduct the girl, whom he planned to hold for ransom, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said. “The grandmother died trying to save her granddaughter’s life, trying to prevent her from being taken.”

Yaneadamuri was being arraigned Friday afternoon. It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney. The authorities had announced $50,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of the toddler.

“We have filed charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery, burglary and theft against Yaneadamuri. What we have learned during the course of investigation is that this individual planned to kidnap Saanvi and was going to hold her for ransom,” a police official said. There were reportedly 10 copies of identical ransom notes demanding $50,000 found near the apartment.

Satyavathi had arrived in the US from India in July and was scheduled to return home in January 2013.