Foster mom charged with murder after missing 10-year-old is found dead

A Philadelphia foster mom has been charged with murder after a missing 10-year-old girl was found dead in a car in New Jersey following an intensive 10-day search.Carprice Williams, a 36-year-old teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, is accused of killing Malayshia Allford, whose body was discovered Wednesday night in a car at the Stonington Court Apartments in Lindenwold, New Jersey, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced Thursday. Williams faces charges of 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. She is being held without bail and is due back in court November 23. Allford was last seen alive October 22. Surveillance footage captured a body being removed from a home on the 600 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia around 1:53 a.m. on October 26, authorities said."It was that video that then led law enforcement officials to a suspect vehicle, which then led law enforcement officials to find that vehicle and find a person that they wanted to speak to related to that vehicle," Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at a news conference as Allford's biological family watched in tears.Malayshia Allford, 10, of West Philadelphia, was found dead inside a car in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Her foster mom, Carprice Williams, 36, has been charged with murder (Philadelphia Police Department)Investigators tracked down a witness tied to the vehicle, which ultimately led them to Allford’s body. They believe her body had been moved to a second vehicle before it was found in Lindenwold.Allford died from blunt force trauma, and her death was ruled a homicide, a medical examiner determined. She showed signs of abuse and may have been injured with objects, prosecutors said. "She deserved safety. She deserved to be loved. She deserved a chance to grow up," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Thursday. The investigation began after Williams reportedly told police that Allford never came home from school and was not answering her phone. Authorities said adults connected to the case provided conflicting accounts as investigators worked to determine what happened to Allford.The case has devastated the West Philadelphia community, where residents and volunteers spent days searching for the missing girl. "The School District of Philadelphia is heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of 10-year-old Robert E. Lamberton student, Malayshia Allford. We wish to extend our deepest condolences and sincerest sympathy to her family, friends and classmates," the school district said in a statement.A vigil was held Thursday night outside the West Philadelphia home where Allford lived. Her biological family has asked for privacy as they prepare to lay her to rest. Relatives also thanked the community for its support during the search and urged people to refrain from judging them as they grieve."If you know us, you know what's going on. But please, please support my family with the love that we need. No judgment," Allford's biological uncle, Nafis Horne, said during a press conference.Horne believes additional people may have been involved in his niece's death and said he wants everyone responsible to be held accountable. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip through the department's website.