HEARTBREAKING END TO SEARCH FOR 10-YEAR-OLD JALAYSHIA ALFORD: LITTLE GIRL FOUND DEAD IN CAR TRUNK AS FOSTER MOTHER FACES MURDER CHARGES

LINDENWOLD, NEW JERSEY — November 6, 2026

A heartbreaking search that lasted 10 days has ended in tragedy after 10-year-old Jalayshia “Malayshia” Alford was found dead inside the trunk of a car in New Jersey.

The young girl’s disappearance had sparked an extensive search involving Philadelphia police, FBI agents and members of the local community. Her family had desperately hoped she would be found safe.

Instead, investigators made a devastating discovery late Wednesday night, November 4, at an apartment complex in Lindenwold, Camden County, New Jersey.

Authorities confirmed that Malayshia’s body was found inside a Lincoln sedan parked at the Stonington Court Apartments on the 1800 block of Laurel Road.

The discovery came more than a week after she was reported missing from West Philadelphia.

But as investigators worked to establish what happened to the little girl, the case took an even more disturbing turn.

Her foster mother, 36-year-old Carprice Williams, was subsequently charged with murder and several related offenses.

A LITTLE GIRL WHO NEVER MADE IT HOME

Malayshia was living with her foster mother at a residence on the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia. According to her aunt, Yolanda Brown, she had been living in the foster home for approximately two years.

On October 26, 2026, Williams reported that the child had left the residence that morning to walk to her school bus stop but had never returned.

Philadelphia police issued a missing-child alert, describing Malayshia as approximately 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 70 pounds.

She was last reported wearing a blue school uniform, blue stockings and either Crocs or black sneakers. She also wore glasses.

As the hours turned into days, concern for her safety continued to grow.

Her relatives distributed missing-person flyers, while investigators questioned neighbors, reviewed surveillance footage and searched surrounding areas.

The FBI eventually joined the investigation as authorities expanded their efforts to locate the missing child.

HER FAMILY WAS DESPERATELY SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

Throughout the search, Malayshia’s relatives were left facing uncertainty and unanswered questions.

Her aunt, Yolanda Brown, described her as a shy, timid and intelligent little girl who had three siblings.

Brown also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

According to her account, Williams initially contacted her and suggested that Malayshia’s biological mother had taken the child. However, when Brown contacted her sister, she learned that Malayshia was not with her.

The family also questioned why Malayshia had apparently missed school in the days before she was officially reported missing.

Investigators began examining the timeline more closely.

Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore previously described the timeline surrounding the child’s whereabouts as unclear and said detectives were working to obtain additional video and electronic evidence.

For the family, every passing day brought more anxiety.

They simply wanted to know where the little girl was and whether she was safe.

SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE BECAME A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

As the investigation intensified, detectives recovered surveillance footage that would become central to the case.

According to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski, investigators had footage showing Malayshia alive at her foster home on October 22.

Authorities also recovered video from the early morning of October 26, at approximately 1:53 a.m., that appeared to show a body being removed from the residence.

This evidence led investigators to identify a vehicle believed to be connected to the movement of the child’s remains.

Detectives continued following leads until they located the vehicle in Lindenwold, New Jersey.

A witness also provided information that helped authorities find the car.

THE DEVASTATING DISCOVERY IN NEW JERSEY

At approximately 11 p.m. on November 4, investigators located the Lincoln sedan at the Stonington Court Apartments.

Inside its trunk were the remains of 10-year-old Malayshia.

The vehicle was reportedly connected to a relative of her foster mother.

The discovery brought an end to the desperate 10-day search and left family members, investigators and members of the community devastated.

A preliminary examination by the New Jersey medical examiner determined that Malayshia died from blunt force trauma. Her death was officially classified as a homicide.

Authorities have not publicly released every detail surrounding the circumstances of her death.

FOSTER MOTHER FACES MURDER CHARGES

On November 5, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel announced criminal charges against 36-year-old Carprice Williams, who had been caring for Malayshia.

Williams faces multiple charges, including:

• Murder.
• Endangering the welfare of a child.
• Reckless endangerment.
• Tampering with evidence.
• Abuse of a corpse.
• Other related criminal offenses.

Investigators also questioned another individual believed to have information about the vehicle and the movement of the child’s remains.

Prosecutors said the investigation involved surveillance evidence, witness information and other investigative findings.

The charges against Williams are allegations, and she remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.

Authorities have not released all the evidence or established publicly every detail of what happened inside the residence.

HER FORMER TEACHER REMEMBERS A SWEET LITTLE GIRL

As news of Malayshia’s death spread, those who had known her struggled to accept the heartbreaking outcome.

Her former teacher, Tashonna Moore, remembered her as a sweet and kind child.

Speaking about learning that the little girl had disappeared, Moore described how deeply the news had affected her.

She said she had cried throughout the day and found it difficult to concentrate.

For those who had encountered Malayshia at school, she was not simply another name in a missing-person announcement.

She was a child with a personality, dreams and a future that should have been filled with opportunities.

OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY MOURN HER LOSS

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel expressed his sorrow during the announcement of the charges.

He said:

“She deserved safety. She deserved to be loved. She deserved a chance to grow up.”

Mayor Cherelle Parker also released an emotional statement, saying the tragedy had shaken her deeply.

She expressed sympathy for Malayshia’s family, describing the loss as unimaginable.

Meanwhile, community members gathered to remember the little girl.

Balloons and stuffed animals were left near the apartment complex where her body was discovered, creating a small memorial in her memory.

People who had never personally known Malayshia also joined in mourning, expressing their heartbreak over the loss of a 10-year-old child.

QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING HER CARE

Beyond the criminal investigation, Malayshia’s death has raised difficult questions about the circumstances surrounding her foster care placement and the events leading up to her disappearance.

Her relatives had previously spoken about their efforts to regain custody of her after she entered the foster care system.

City officials have also acknowledged the need to examine the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the systems entrusted with her care.

For now, investigators continue working to establish the complete timeline and determine whether anyone else played a role in the events surrounding her death.

Her family has asked for privacy as they begin to cope with an unimaginable loss.

SHE WAS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD

Ten years old.

An age when children should be worrying about school, playing with friends, spending time with their siblings and dreaming about what they might become one day.

Malayshia should have had so many more birthdays, school mornings, family celebrations and ordinary childhood moments ahead of her.

Instead, her disappearance ended in a tragedy that has left two communities searching for answers.

Her name will not simply be remembered as part of a criminal investigation. She was a daughter, a sister, a niece, a student and a little girl who deserved to be protected.

May her family find strength during this devastating time.

Rest peacefully, sweet Jalayshia “Malayshia” Alford. You deserved a lifetime of love, safety and happiness.

JUSTICE FOR JALAYSHIA. 🕊️