Foster mom charged in murder of missing 10-year-old girl

Philadelphia Foster mom charged in murder of missing 10-year-old girl Carprice Williams, the foster mom of 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, has been arrested and charged in the girl's murder, officials say. By Cherise Lynch , Aaron Baskerville and David Chang • Published November 5, 2026 • Updated 56 minutes ago The foster mom of Malayshia Alford, a 10-year-old girl from West Philadelphia who was found dead in a car in New Jersey, has been charged in the child's death. Carprice Williams, 36, 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. Stream Philadelphia News for free, 24/7, wherever you are with NBC10. WATCH HERE Early Friday morning, she was ordered to be held without bail after being arraigned on the charges. Philadelphia Police, Family Photo Philadelphia Police, Family Photo Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the charges against Williams during a press conference on Thursday, Nov. 5. View this post on Instagram According to investigators, Alford was last seen alive back on Oct. 22 at a home along the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia. She was then reported missing. Local Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. Philly Weather 1 hour ago Rainy end to week, dry seasonable weekend in Philly weather forecast 10 hours ago Showers and storms will make for a wet end to the work week "The last time we believe she was seen alive was Thursday, Oct. 22," said Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski. "And that would be at her home. We believe that she remained there until she was removed from the home." Her disappearance prompted an investigation involving Philadelphia police, the FBI and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. Neighbors mourn 10-year-old Jalayshia Alford after she was found dead in New Jersey. At least one person has been charge with her murder. NBC10's Aaron Baskerville has the latest on the investigation. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, police focused their search efforts on a field in West Philadelphia, but only the body of an animal was found. Investigators said they then obtained surveillance video later that night. The video showed Alford's body being removed from the home on North Simpson Street on Monday, Oct. 26, shortly before 2 a.m., officials said. That video led law enforcement officials to a vehicle and driver. The FBI and Philadelphia police then spoke with the driver who led them to Alford's body. They then found the girl's body in the trunk of a car around 11 p.m. on Wednesday in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Alford was taken to the New Jersey Medical Examiner who determined she died from blunt force trauma. Her death was ruled a homicide. "It was immediately apparent that she had been there for a while," Toczylowski said. View this post on Instagram Alford's foster mother, Carprice Williams, was then arrested and charged in the girl's death. While officials did not go into detail on what led to Alford's murder, they revealed that there was an indication that the girl was physically abused. They also did not reveal if anyone else will be charged. Before her arrest, NBC10 attempted to speak with Williams as she left the home on North Simpson Street on Wednesday. Williams covered her face with a blanket and had no comment as she got in a car and drove away. NBC10 NBC10 On Friday, sources confirmed with NBC10 that Williams was a teacher in the Philadelphia School District. A student told NBC10 Thursday that Williams taught at the Lewis C. Cassidy School, an elementary school located on 6523 Lansdowne Avenue. NBC10 reached out to the school district who told us they can't comment on staffing matters. A community in mourning Neighbors told NBC10 that Alford was a foster child living on the block. They said investigators had been questioning residents, reviewing home surveillance video and using search dogs at the home where she was believed to be living. Ameer Barber, an activist for 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 said. "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." A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Department of Human Services told NBC10 Alford had been in custody of the DHS and had received foster care services. The spokesperson said they couldn't reveal additional information due to the law. "There are things that can be done to help people out in the community," Jimmy Ligon, a community activist, told NBC10. "It's not always take the child away from the parents. You know what I mean?" Alford's former teacher, Tashonna Moore, described the little girl as sweet and kind as she recalled her reaction to learning the child was missing. "She was so sweet and kind. She didn't do nothing to anybody," Moore said. "I literally cried all day. I was not able to focus.” On Friday, Philadelphia police officers went door to door to homes near Simpson Street, offering resources to the community. Mayor Cherelle Parker also released a statement on the girl's death. View this post on Instagram This article tagged under: Philadelphia