Foster Mother Charged After 10-Year-Old Found in Car Trunk

Carprice Williams, 36, was arrested on Thursday morning. Prosecutors charged her with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse. The charges follow the discovery of Malayshia Alford, 10, who had been missing from West Philadelphia since October 26.

Investigators found the girl's body late Wednesday night on November 4. Her remains were located inside the trunk of a vehicle at an apartment complex in Lindenwold, New Jersey. A preliminary examination by the New Jersey Medical Examiner's Office determined blunt force trauma caused Alford's death. The office ruled the death a homicide.

Alford was last seen alive on October 22. She resided with Williams in the 500 block of North Simpson Street. The search for the child lasted ten days and involved the Philadelphia Police Department, the FBI, and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. Neighbors and former educators in West Philadelphia expressed grief upon learning of the death.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski stated that surveillance footage helped identify the vehicle. The video allowed investigators to locate the car and the child's remains. "It was immediately apparent that she had been there for a while," Toczylowski said at a news conference on Thursday.

Tashonna Moore, a former teacher of Alford, described the girl as kind and sweet. "She was so sweet and kind. She didn't do nothing to anybody," Moore said. The case now proceeds through the criminal justice system with Williams in custody.

The discovery ended a two-week search effort that spanned parts of Philadelphia and New Jersey. Authorities confirmed the body matched Alford before notifying the family. The vehicle remained at the apartment complex following the initial discovery.