By: Richard L. Smith
A heartbreaking search for a missing 10-year-old Philadelphia girl has ended with murder charges against the woman entrusted with her care after investigators discovered the child's body inside the trunk of a vehicle in Lindenwold, New Jersey.
During a televised news conference Thursday evening, November 5, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that Carprice Williams, 36, the girl's foster mother, had been charged in connection with the death of Malayshia Alford, also known as Jalayshia.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, investigators determined that the child died from blunt force trauma, and prosecutors allege that Williams was responsible for beating her to death.
Authorities said Malayshia was last seen alive on October 22 at her foster home along the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia. She was reported missing four days later, on October 26, prompting an extensive search involving Philadelphia police, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
Investigators reviewing surveillance footage discovered video from the early morning hours of October 26 that appeared to show the child's body being removed from the residence in a bag.
That footage helped investigators identify a vehicle and locate an individual who provided information leading authorities to Lindenwold, Camden County.
The child's remains were discovered late Wednesday night inside the trunk of a car near the Stonington Court Apartments, bringing the search to a devastating conclusion.
Prosecutors announced multiple charges against Williams, including murder, endangering the welfare of a child, abuse of a corpse and other related offenses.
The discovery has shaken residents in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where community members had followed the search and hoped the little girl would be found alive.
In Philadelphia, neighbors and volunteers who participated in the search began placing balloons and memorials near the home where Malayshia had been living.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the child's death and the movement of her remains into New Jersey.