A 40-year-old woman who on Thursday allegedly kidnapped a young relative from a school in Kampong Speu province and demanded a $4,000 ransom from the child’s parents was arrested in Kampong Chhnang on Saturday, according to police.

Kampong Chhnang Provincial Police Chief Loch Sovannara said Heng Sokly, a cousin of the victim’s parents, was seized by officers in the provincial town as she allegedly attempted to collect a reduced $3,500 in ransom from a Wing money transfer outlet.

Sovannara said the 8-year-old victim, who was taken from her school in Kong Pisei district on Tuesday, had not been harmed, and was reunited with her family on Saturday.

Sokly, who allegedly had told the school she was taking her young relative sightseeing but later called her parents and demanded the $4,000, was then handed over to Kampong Speu police, he said.

Kampong Speu Deputy Provincial Police Chief Soam Bora said Sokly was questioned yesterday, with his officers preparing to send the case to court.

The victim’s mother said she was elated after being reunited with her daughter and called on police to punish her cousin.