Philadelphia Foster Parent Charged with Murder of 10-Year-Old Girl
A Philadelphia foster parent has been charged with the “brutal murder” of a 10-year-old girl in her care, who was reported missing and later found dead after an extensive search, according to authorities.
The victim, identified as Malayshia Alford, was discovered in a vehicle in New Jersey this past week, following a dayslong investigation.
Details Surrounding the Case
Carprice Williams, aged 36, faces multiple charges including murder, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, as reported by police officials.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner described the situation as “horrific” during a press conference where the charges were announced.
Malayshia was last seen alive on October 22 at her home in Philadelphia, based on information provided by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski.
Investigation Timeline
Authorities believe that shortly before 2 a.m. on October 26, an unidentified individual removed the girl’s body from her home in a bag and placed it in a vehicle. This information was derived from video surveillance footage obtained by law enforcement, which indicated that the man shown was not Williams.
This footage ultimately assisted investigators in identifying a suspect vehicle. A witness linked to this vehicle played a crucial role in locating Malayshia’s body, which was eventually found in the trunk of another car in New Jersey on Wednesday night.
Cause of Death and Further Findings
Initial autopsy results indicate that Malayshia died from blunt force trauma, and her death has been classified as a homicide, Toczylowski confirmed. The investigation has indicated that instances of abuse occurred, involving specific items utilized in the act.
Court Proceedings and Community Response
During a court appearance on Friday, Williams was denied bail and is scheduled to return for a preliminary hearing on November 23. A public defender has been appointed for her case, although a spokesperson for the Defender Association of Philadelphia declined to comment further at this time.
Krasner did not provide details about the circumstances under which Malayshia was placed in Williams’ care, but assured the public that more information would be forthcoming.
In a statement, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker emphasized that the police, district attorney’s office, and FBI are committed to thoroughly investigating the case to ensure justice for Malayshia.
Family’s Plea for Privacy
The brother of Malayshia’s biological father expressed gratitude for community support during a press conference and implored the public not to judge their family during this challenging time.
“I thank everybody for supporting me and my family,” stated Nafis Horne. “Keep us in your prayers because it’s tough right now. Please, please, just support my family with the love that we need. No judgment,” he urged.
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