Foster mother of 10-year-old Malayshia Alford charged with murder, Philadelphia prosecutors say

The adoptive mother of Malaysia Alford is charged with murder after the 10-year-old’s body was found in a car Thursday morning in New Jersey, according to prosecutors.

Carprice Williams was arraigned Thursday night on multiple charges and was denied bail.

Police found Malayshia’s body in a car Thursday morning in Camden County, prosecutors said.

Investigators said Malayshia was last seen alive on October 22. He was not reported missing until four days later. They said she was beaten to death by Williams.

Surveillance video appears to show what appears to be a body being removed from the home in the 500 block of North Simpson Street shortly before 2 a.m. Monday, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said a suspicious vehicle was developed and an individual was questioned. The unidentified person provided the location of Malayshia’s body, according to prosecutors. Police found Malayshia’s body around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Her body was found in the trunk of a car near the Stonington Court Apartments in Lindenwold, investigators said.

Family members said her adoptive mother told relatives that the girl had gone to her biological mother’s home. But those family members said the birth mother had no visitation rights and Malayshia was not at home.

Investigators searched a dumpster in the yard in Lower Merion Township looking for clues in Malayshia’s disappearance Tuesday evening.

FBI went to adoptive mother’s home on North Simpson Street Tuesday evening with a search warrant. When no one answered the door, the officers forced entry.

Williams is a teacher at Cassidy Elementary School in Philadelphia, according to sources. CBS News Philadelphia reached out to the school district for comment on Williams and did not receive a response.

“The School District of Philadelphia is heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of 10-year-old student Malayshia Alford of Robert E. Lamberton,” a district spokesperson said in a statement.

People tied pink and white balloons outside the West Philadelphia home where Malayshia lived with Williams as news of the child’s death spread Thursday afternoon.

“For me to be here facing something like this is very devastating,” Tyeisha Stots said. “I was sad last night. I couldn’t sleep.”

“It was a lot of hope. We had a lot of people here looking,” said Jimmy Ligon of West Philadelphia. “We had a lot of people. At least 50 people picked up yesterday.”

For some, the loss feels personal.

Valerie Brown said Malayshia went to the camp with her son.

“I feel hurt. I feel — my mind is heavy,” Brown said. “I have a lot of knots in my stomach and you know, this hits very close to home.”

Editor’s note: Police previously identified Malayshia’s first name as Jalayshia. Krasner said Thursday that her name is Malayshia Alford.