Foster Mother Charged in Girl's Murder
Prosecutors say Carprice Williams beat 10-year-old Malayshia Alford to death; body found in car trunk in New Jersey.
By Harper Collins ·
Carprice Williams, a Philadelphia elementary school teacher, was charged with murder Thursday night in the death of 10-year-old Malayshia Alford. Prosecutors announced the charges during a press conference following the discovery of the child's body in Camden County, New Jersey, earlier that day.
Investigators determined that Williams beat Alford to death. The girl was last seen alive on Oct. 22. Her family reported her missing four days later. Police found Alford's body in the trunk of a vehicle near the Stonington Court Apartments in Lindenwold around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Surveillance footage captured an individual removing what is believed to be Alford's body from a home on the 500 block of North Simpson Street shortly before 2 a.m. Monday. Prosecutors said police identified a suspect vehicle and interviewed an individual who provided the location of the body.
Family members stated that Williams told relatives Alford had gone to stay with her biological mother. However, relatives said the biological mother did not have visitation rights and Alford was not at that home. Agents from Lower Merion Township executed a search warrant at the home on Tuesday night. No one answered the door, so officers forced their way inside to search for clues.
The School District of Philadelphia issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the death of its student. A spokesperson called the loss tragic. The district has not yet responded to inquiries about Williams' role at Cassidy Elementary School. Sources identified Williams as a teacher there.
Neighbors gathered outside the West Philadelphia home where Alford lived with Williams on Thursday afternoon. Pink and white balloons were tied to the exterior. Tyeisha Stots, a neighbor, said the situation was devastating and prevented her from sleeping. Jimmy Ligon said at least 50 people helped search for the girl the previous day.
Valerie Brown, whose son attended camp with Alford, described feeling heavy and hurt by the loss. Police previously identified the child's first name as Jalayshia, but Prosecutor Krasner confirmed the name as Malayshia Alford on Thursday.
