The foster mom of a 10-year-old girl who vanished weeks ago is now charged with her murder — and police alleged the tragic victim was abused in a “dungeon” before she was killed.
Carprice Williams, a 36-year-old teacher, is charged with killing little Malayshia Alford, whose body was found late Wednesday night about 20 miles from her West Philadelphia home where she had last been seen alive on Oct. 22, WPVI reported.
She was arrested after investigators recovered surveillance footage that showed what they believe to be Malayshia’s body moved from the home into a vehicle around 2 a.m. on Oct. 26, the day she was reported as missing.
Investigators then spoke with the driver who led them to Alford’s body across state lines in Lindenwold, New Jersey.
“It was immediately apparent that she had been there for a while,” Assistant District Attorney Ashley Teslowski told reporters at a press conference Thursday.
An autopsy conducted by the local medical examiner’s office determined Malayasi’s death to be a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.
Police then charged Williams, Malayshia’s foster mother with her murder.
Officials said they could not go into detail as what led to Malayshia’s murder, but revealed it appears she may have been abused.
“We do have an indication that there were instances of abuse happening, and that items were used to carry out that abuse,” Toczylowski said.
Ameer Barber, an activist for Philly-based community organization MOTIVATEYOUTH215, described Williams’ home as a “dungeon.”
“They showed me the pictures and videos, it was a dungeon. The backdoor was drilled shut, the basement door was drilled shut,” Barber told NBC Philadelphia. “Upstairs, it looked like there was a lot of foul play, I don’t know how the cops didn’t catch it. It didn’t look right.”
Williams initially reported that Malayshia did not return home from school and was not answering her phone, however investigators said there were conflicting accounts from adults connected to the case, according to WPVI.
Williams is charged with murder, 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 corpse.
Williams did not have a criminal record, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Officials did not say if they anticipate that anyone else will be charged.
Malayshia was a student at Robert E. Lamberton School, according to district officials.
Her friend, Zayla, stopped by a community vigil on Thursday night.
“She was nice to everybody. She was friends with everybody. And the last time I saw her, I gave her a hug,” the friend told WPVI.
Zayla’s mother said Williams was their daughter’s teacher.
“Just letting her know everything is going to be OK. She don’t really understand that was her teacher. And she just keeps asking a lot of questions. I don’t even have the answers,” said Ryenise Hodges of West Philadelphia.
Williams was arraigned on Thursday where a judge ordered she be held without bail. She is due back in court on Nov. 23.
Krasner said his office has contacted the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and hopes to be “speaking to them further about this.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherrelle Parker said she was praying for Malayshia’s family.
“As a mother, this has shaken me to my core. I can’t stop thinking about this precious baby and the heartache and turmoil that her immediate village will endure,” she said in a statement posted on social media.
“Our Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office and the FBI will cross every ‘T’ and dot every ‘I’ to uncover all of the facts associated with this heinous and horrific tragedy, and to seek justice for Malayshia.”
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