I pray that my grandbaby come home, and I pray that y'all help us find her,
Sylvia Brown said, describing the search for her 10-year-old granddaughter, Malayshia Alford.
The intensive search for the West Philadelphia child ended in tragedy after authorities discovered her body in the trunk of a vehicle in Lindenwold, New Jersey, on Wednesday night, officials announced Thursday. Caprice Williams, 36, the girl’s foster mother, has been charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and several other offenses, including abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Surveillance video leads investigators to Lindenwold
The investigation into Alford’s disappearance began after she was reported missing on Oct. 26, having last been seen around 7 a.m. in the 500 block of North Simpson Street. While Williams initially told police the girl had not returned from school and was not answering her phone, investigators recovered surveillance footage from approximately 1:53 a.m. on Oct. 26.
Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said the video showed what investigators believe to be Alford’s body being moved out of the home in a bag. That footage allowed law enforcement to identify a suspect vehicle and a person related to that vehicle. After interviewing that individual, police located Alford’s body around 11 p.m. Wednesday inside a Lincoln sedan parked at an apartment complex in Lindenwold, according to the Inquirer.
The vehicle found in Lindenwold reportedly belonged to a relative of Williams. Investigators noted the car was at a complex with connections to Williams, specifically the Stonington Court Apartments. A preliminary examination by the New Jersey Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma and the manner of death was a homicide.
Family raises questions regarding foster care
Malayshia had been living with Williams on North Simpson Street. Her aunt, Yolanda Brown, described the girl as a shy, smart, and timid child. Nyfisha Allford, another aunt, told reporters that she had previously attempted to obtain custody of her niece while she was under the supervision of the Department of Human Services, but said her efforts were ignored. Allford expressed that she was ignored after officials visited her home to look it over.
The family also noted that they were initially told by the foster mother that Malayshia had gone to her biological mother, though family members maintained that the biological mother did not have custody of the child. Nazir Allford, the girl’s biological father, expressed the emotional strain of the disappearance, stating his only concern was his child. Biological uncle Nafis Horne defended the bond between Nazir and Malayshia, stating that the father loved his daughter and she loved him.
Philadelphia Department of Human Services Commissioner Kimberly Ali confirmed that Malayshia had been in the city’s custody and was receiving foster care services, though she noted that confidentiality requirements prevented the department from providing further details regarding the circumstances of the death.
Community and city leaders respond to the killing
The discovery of the child’s body prompted reactions from several Philadelphia officials. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a news conference that the girl deserved safety and love. Mayor Cherelle Parker released a statement saying the death had shaken her “to my core.” Parker stated she could not stop thinking about the child and the turmoil her village would endure.
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City Council President Kenyatta Johnson also issued a statement expressing heartbreak and outrage, adding that those responsible for the death must be held accountable. During a vigil on Simpson Street, neighbors and family members gathered to mourn. Neighbors on North Simpson Street reported a significant police presence during the search, which included the use of canine units and drones. Block captain Rhonda Wilson noted that officers had been speaking with neighbors to check home surveillance systems.
Wayne Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, described the investigation as an around-the-clock effort
that included witness interviews and digital evidence review. The investigation involved the Philadelphia Police Department, the FBI, and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
The body of missing 10-year-old Malayshia Alford was found Wednesday night in Camden County, New Jersey, bringing a frantic 10-day search to a tragic conclusion. On Thursday, a foster parent was charged with her murder. https://t.co/9tIq2mC1Kr pic.twitter.com/8I8fXNaMQJ