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West Philadelphia Mourns Malayshia Alford as Family Demands Answers from City, Schools
Community members gathered at Morris Park on Sunday to honor 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, whose body was found in a car trunk in New Jersey, as her uncle called for accountability from the city and school district over her foster placement.
WEST PHILADELPHIA â Dozens of neighbors, relatives and supporters filled Morris Park near 68th Street and Haverford Avenue on Sunday afternoon to remember 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, the foster child whose body was discovered in the trunk of a car in Lindenwold, New Jersey, four days earlier.
The gathering, billed as "May May Day" in honor of the girl's nickname, was organized after a memorial service drew an outpouring of children who wanted to pay their respects, organizers said. They described the event as a chance for a grieving community to begin healing together.
Malayshia had been reported missing for roughly two weeks before investigators found her body on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Her foster mother, Caprice Williams, is being held in custody on charges that she murdered the girl and tried to conceal the crime.
Speaking at the park, Malayshia's biological uncle, Nafis Horne, said the tragedy demands a reckoning from the institutions entrusted with his niece's safety.
"I need accountability from the city of Philadelphia, the school district for allowing this foster parent to work in the system," Horne said. "I need accountability from everybody involved. This should not have happened to another kid and it's sad it happened to my niece. So changes are coming. Changes are coming."
Horne's demand comes amid mounting questions about how Williams was approved to care for Malayshia. Reporting by the NBC10 Investigators found that Williams had faced allegations of abusing another foster child in 2020, and that she was simultaneously employed by the School District of Philadelphia.
The disclosures have focused attention on the vetting and oversight of foster parents in a system that places vulnerable children in private homes.
Philadelphia's Department of Human Services, which oversees the city's foster care network, confirmed that Malayshia was in its custody. Commissioner Kimberly Ali offered condolences to the family but said confidentiality rules under the Child Protective Services Law prevent the department from releasing additional details.
In a statement, Ali said Malayshia was receiving foster care services through Pennsylvania Mentor and case management through Catholic Community Services, Community Umbrella Agency 4.
"We are incredibly saddened to learn of the death of Jalayshia 'Malayshia' Alford," Ali wrote. "We offer our sincere condolences to the family on this tragic loss."
As the criminal case against Williams moves forward, Malayshia's family says it will keep pressing for a full account of the decisions that placed her in a home that had already drawn abuse allegations â and for reforms to ensure no other child meets the same fate.