The foster mother of 10-year-old Malayshia Alford has been charged with murder after the missing Philadelphia girl was found dead in the boot of a car in New Jersey, authorities said.
Caprice Williams, 36, faces murder and several related charges following the discovery of Alford’s body at an apartment complex in Lindenwold, around 15 miles from her home in West Philadelphia.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Williams was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.
Authorities said Alford was last seen alive at the home on North Simpson Street where she lived with Williams. She was reported missing on October 26, after failing to attend school that day.
Investigators recovered surveillance footage recorded at about 1.53am on October 26 which appeared to show Alford’s body being removed from the property, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said.
The footage led police and FBI investigators to a vehicle and then to a person they wanted to question. Information obtained during that interview led officers to the car in Lindenwold, where the girl’s body was found at about 11pm on Wednesday.
A preliminary examination by the New Jersey Medical Examiner’s Office found that Alford died from blunt force trauma. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Ms Toczylowski said investigators had also found indications that the child had been abused and that objects may have been used in the assaults.
Mr Krasner said the surveillance footage showed someone other than Williams removing Alford’s body from the home, but he did not identify that person or say whether further charges were expected.
Officials said the investigation remained active. It was not immediately clear what relationship the other person had to the vehicle or to the events surrounding Alford’s death.
Alford’s family urged people to ignore rumours circulating on social media. Her aunt said the girl’s biological parents loved her, despite claims being made online.
“This has been a very, very heavy, emotional day,” Mr Krasner told reporters, promising a “just” and “vigorous prosecution” in the case.
The search for Alford had involved Philadelphia police, the FBI, local residents and members of her family, who distributed flyers across Philadelphia and nearby areas. Authorities had also searched parts of Cobbs Creek near her home before her body was located in New Jersey.
