Investigators Search Lower Merion Dumpster in Hunt for Missing West Philadelphia Girl
Police expanded the search for 10-year-old Malayshia Alford into the suburbs, executing a warrant at a renovation site.
By Harper Collins ·
Law enforcement expanded the search for Malayshia Alford, a 10-year-old girl missing from West Philadelphia, into the suburbs. Investigators searched a backyard dumpster at a home on Ardmore Avenue in Lower Merion Township Tuesday night in connection with her disappearance.
The homeowner, whose house is undergoing renovations, confirmed that officers removed evidence from the container, which was being used for construction debris. It remains unclear what specific items investigators took from the site.
Malayshia was last seen on North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia on Oct. 26. Her foster mother told relatives the girl had gone to her biological mother's home. However, family members stated that the biological mother did not have visitation rights and that Malayshia was not at that residence.
Officers executed a search warrant at the Lower Merion property on Tuesday night. After no one answered the door, agents forced their way inside. Plainclothes officers canvassed the street on Wednesday seeking surveillance video. Law enforcement also knocked on nearby doors the night before to ask residents questions about the dumpster.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said his office is lending its support to the investigation. "The D.A.'s office is involved because there are certain legal obstacles that have to be met in order to continue an investigation of this nature," Krasner said. He declined to elaborate on those legal obstacles.
A Lower Merion resident described the case as deeply personal. "That breaks my heart," the woman said. "I work with children. So I really hope that girl is found safely." Police are asking anyone with information about Malayshia's whereabouts to contact them.
