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Marchers Demand DHS Overhaul After 10-Year-Old Malayshia Alford's Killing
Dozens marched down Broad Street to Philadelphia's Department of Human Services office Saturday, demanding accountability and transparency after 10-year-old Malayshia Alford was found dead in a New Jersey car trunk and her foster mother was charged with murder.
PHILADELPHIA â Dozens of community members marched down Broad Street on Saturday morning to demand accountability from the city's child welfare system after 10-year-old Malayshia Alford was found dead in the trunk of a car in New Jersey and her foster mother was charged with her murder.
The demonstration, organized by Philadelphia activist Isaiah Thomas, known as HMBL Zayy, began in Hunting Park and ended at the Department of Human Services office on Arch Street. Participants carried signs reading "Justice for Malayshia" and "Investigate DHS," calling for greater transparency and stronger protections for children in foster care.
Carprice Williams, 36, Alford's foster mother, faces charges including 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 a corpse. She was ordered held without bail Friday following her arraignment.
Court documents show Williams physically abused the girl and used the child's phone to send text messages to herself in an attempt to mislead investigators after Alford's death, according to reporting by NBC10 Investigators.
Alford was last seen alive on Oct. 22 at a home on the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia. She was later reported missing, prompting an investigation involving Philadelphia police, the FBI and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, police searched a field in West Philadelphia but found only the body of an animal. That night, investigators obtained surveillance video showing Alford's body being removed from the North Simpson Street home on Monday, Oct. 26, shortly before 2 a.m.
The video led law enforcement to a vehicle and driver. After the FBI and Philadelphia police spoke with the driver, they were led to Alford's body, which was found in the trunk of a car around 11 p.m. Wednesday in Lindenwold, New Jersey.
The New Jersey Medical Examiner determined Alford died from blunt force trauma and ruled her death a homicide.
Saturday's march reflects growing community anger over the circumstances of Alford's death and questions about how the child welfare system monitored her placement. Organizers and participants directed their demands at DHS, seeking answers about oversight of foster homes and the agency's handling of Alford's case.
The killing has renewed scrutiny of child protection practices in Philadelphia, where advocates have long called for more resources and accountability in the foster care system. Marchers said they want to see concrete action, not just condolences.
Williams remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing.