Caprice Williams: Philadelphia adoptive mother charged with murder of 10-year-old found in trunk

The adoptive mother of a 10-year-old girl, whose disappearance sparked a massive search before her body was found across state lines nearly two weeks later, has been charged with murder, Philadelphia officials announced Thursday.

Malayshia Alford was last seen alive at her West Philadelphia home on October 22. Four days later, she was reported missing, sparking an intense search by residents, police and the FBI.

On Wednesday, her body was found in the trunk of a car about 20 miles away in New Jersey after a twist in the case: Surveillance video was obtained as early as the early morning hours of Oct. 26 showing what authorities believed was her body being moved out of the house in a bag, Assistant Philadelphia District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at a news conference Thursday.

The video pointed police to a witness who eventually led them to Malayshia’s body in Lindenwold, New Jersey, Toczylowski said. The cause of his death is believed to be blunt force trauma and the circumstances of his death have been ruled a homicide, officials said.

“We have indications that there have been instances of abuse and that objects have been used to commit these abuses,” Toczylowski said.

Malaysia’s foster mother, Caprice Williams, 36, was charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a criminal instrument, recklessly endangering another, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, Toczylowski said.

Williams had no criminal record, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner. CNN is working to determine whether Williams has legal representation.

“She deserved to be safe. She deserved to be loved. She deserved a chance to grow,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said of Malaysia at the news conference.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said authorities would continue to investigate the tragedy and seek justice.

“As a mother, this has shaken me to my core,” Parker said in a statement. “I can’t stop thinking about this precious baby, and the heartache and turmoil her immediate village will endure.”

Surveillance video led authorities to his body

Authorities say they believe Malayshia was kicked out of her home after she was last seen there on October 22. She was then placed in one car and then transferred to another, Toczylowski said.

Police, the FBI and the community scrambled to find the missing girl. Wayne Jacobs, special agent in charge of the Philadelphia FBI, said the “around-the-clock effort” included interviewing witnesses and reviewing digital evidence.

Surveillance video recovered Wednesday ultimately led to this grim discovery.

“It was that video that then led law enforcement to a suspicious vehicle, which then led law enforcement to find that vehicle and find a person that they wanted to talk to related to that vehicle,” Toczylowski said.

This witness was questioned by police and the FBI, who “ultimately led law enforcement to his body.”

The charges against Williams stem from the discovery and “what this witness told law enforcement,” Toczylowski said.

When Malayshia’s body was found around 11 p.m. Wednesday, “it was immediately obvious that she had been there for some time,” Toczylowski said.

Krasner said his office will be in contact with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, the county’s child welfare agency, and they “look forward to talking to them more about this.”

CNN has contacted the agency for comment.

Malayshia’s family expressed their grief at the news conference, saying they loved her and were going through “a very difficult time.” Neighbors and community members placed pink balloons and teddy bears in front of a memorial honoring Malaysia.

“There are few things more heartbreaking than the loss of a child. A young life full of promise, of possibilities for the future that she should have experienced,” Jacobs said. “Losing a child in circumstances like these, in a place where she should have been safe, is almost impossible to understand.”

This story has been updated.