On the sixth incorrect attempt, there is a 1 minute delay. On the seventh, 5 minutes. On the eighth, 15 minutes. On the ninth, 60 minutes. On the tenth, there is no more delay - the iPhone is disabled until you connect to a computer (or, if you had the iPhone set to erase after ten attempts, it will be factory reset) - it's never a two week delay. (iOS was like that a long time ago, though.)
OP said that the neighbor was working with Apple. If it had been an incorrect passcode lockout, Apple would have given instruction on how to go to an authorized Apple reseller or even a friend with a computer to do the erase and restore from iTunes or a computer if the neighbor did not have a computer herself.