By Brad Segall

UPPER MERION, Pa. (CBS) – The search for a missing infant from a King of Prussia apartment in late October captivated the Philadelphia region, but hope turned to sadness when the baby’s body was found several days later. (see story)

Detectives found a woman’s body inside an apartment at the Marquis Apartments in Upper Merion and quickly learned her 10-month old granddaughter, Saanvi Venna, was missing. That triggered an Amber Alert and led to an intense weeklong search that ended with the arrest of a family friend and the discovery of the child’s body.

“We learned from the defendant that he went to the home, he made an effort to kidnap the child [and] during the course of that event he took the life of her grandmother. He then left the apartment building with the child suffocated with a handkerchief in her mouth [and] stuffed in a suitcase,” said District Attorney Risa Ferman.

Police charged 26-year-old Ragu Yandamuri.

“From everything we have learned this was an attempt to kidnap the child and hold her for ransom. He believed that the Vennas were of sufficient means that they would be able to pay that ransom,” said Ferman.

Yandamuri has been ordered held for trial on charges that include first degree murder. Prosecutors are considering whether to pursue the death penalty.