KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — A neighbour of the Filipina ex-nanny arrested on Sunday, for her alleged involvement in the abduction of 18-month-old Freddie Joseph said the suspect was a nice woman with a soft spot for children.

“She was nice and friendly to me and my children. She also always made time to interact with other children in the area,” said the neighbour, who wanted to be known as Faridah.

Faridah, 30, said the Filipina was living with another woman, also from the Philippines, and had been a resident at the flats in Taman Desa for more than eight years.

“She has never caused problems and never struck me as someone who could be involved in any sort of crime,” she said.

The Filipina was one of two suspects arrested to help police with investigations into the abduction of Freddie, who was taken from his house in Jalan Terasek 7, Bangsar, at 6.20pm on Friday.

Another resident at the flats said she was surprised to hear of the arrest and believed the Filipina had nothing to do with the abduction.

“She told me she was working for the child’s family but quit when her father passed away. She had gone back to the Philippines for a few months as working there didn’t allow her to take long leave earlier,” said the resident, who refused to be named.

Another neighbour, Nur, said the suspect was her close friend. She said her as gentle and soft-spoken.

“I am sorry she was arrested. She was a nice person. I don’t know what happened. As far as I know, she was not in any financial trouble, said Nur, the Filipina’s neighbour for eight years.

“She has a boyfriend who visits frequently and I was told she is working as a caretaker of an elderly couple in a house in Damansara.”

An employee of a sundry shop at the flats, K. Pachiyammal, 52, said she was surprised to hear about the arrest.

“She seemed like a nice woman but I hope that no matter what it is, the police will get justice for the boy,” she said.

Freddie was found and rescued by civilians in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa on Saturday.