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A man accused of kidnapping a five-year-old girl and demanding $10,000 ransom has been arrested by Kandal provincial police following a tragic incident that ended in the child’s death.
The incident took place on Sunday in Prek Ambel commune in S’ang district.
Police identified the suspect as Kim Vanna, 35, the uncle of the victim, who also sent threatening messages to her parents demanding $10,000 through Wing money transfer services.
Authorities said the suspect warned the family that if the ransom was not paid within one hour, the child would be killed. He also threatened the parents not to inform police or anyone else about the kidnapping.
Despite the threats, the victim’s parents contacted authorities. Kandal Provincial Police, working together with the Child Protection Unit (CPU), launched an immediate operation that led to the suspect’s arrest.
According to the Reaction Unit of Kandal Provincial Police, the suspect confessed to acting alone because he felt that he was being mocked by the victim’s mother and had been unable to borrow money from her.
CPU told CamboJA News that the five-year-old girl was found dead, with her hands, legs, and mouth tied with scotch tape and put under the bed, and it is believed that she was not able to breathe.
“Investigators worked tirelessly to save this innocent child. This is a senseless and devastating tragedy that has deeply affected everyone involved in the investigation,” CPU director James McCabe said in a statement.
Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings are underway, and the case is being handled in accordance with Cambodian law.
