Carprice Williams, 36, was charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, according to authorities. She is being held without bail.

The case began as a missing-person search and ended Thursday when Malayshia Alford's body was discovered in the trunk of a car in Camden County, New Jersey. An initial autopsy found that the child died of blunt force trauma.

Williams, who has worked for the School District of Philadelphia since February 2015, is listed in district records and an online staff directory as a fifth-grade teacher at Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School on Lansdowne Avenue in West Philadelphia. The directory also lists her as a member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. Her LinkedIn profile indicates prior teaching roles at Young Scholars Charter School and Montgomery Early Learning Centers.

The school district declined to confirm or deny Williams's employment, citing a policy against commenting on personnel matters. Spokesperson Monique Braxton said the district does not discuss personnel issues.

In a statement, the district said it was "heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of 10-year old Robert E. Lamberton student, Malayshia Alford," and extended condolences to her family, friends and classmates.

Malayshia had been living with Williams for about two years at a foster home on the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia, according to reporting by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Outside the home, neighbors and schoolmates have left candles, balloons, flowers and stuffed animals in her memory, and vigils are being organized.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur G. Steinberg said the union would provide counseling at Malayshia's school and throughout the district. His statement did not mention Williams.

"On behalf of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of Malayshia Alford," Steinberg said. "It is absolutely shocking that such horrific violence could be inflicted on any child, let alone one as young and vulnerable as Malayshia was."

He added: "It is beyond devastating that in her short time on earth, Malayshia did not receive the care and support that every child deserves." Steinberg also thanked law enforcement for their work.

The Philadelphia Police Department and the FBI continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call the tipline at 215-686-8477 or submit a tip through the police department's online form.

The killing has renewed attention to the vulnerabilities of children in the foster care system and the responsibility of adults entrusted with their care. As the investigation proceeds, community members are demanding answers about how a child known to neighbors and classmates could have been failed so profoundly.