PHILADELPHIA, PA. (THECOUNT) — Caprice Williams, a 36-year-old Philadelphia foster mother who also worked as an educator at the Lewis C. Cassidy School, has been charged with murder in the death of 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, whose body was discovered inside the trunk of a car in Lindenwold, New Jersey. The child had been missing for more than a week.
Williams, of West Philadelphia, was taken into custody and charged Thursday, Nov. 5, after investigators located Alford’s body at an apartment complex in Camden County. The case has drawn additional scrutiny because Williams reportedly worked as a teacher in the Philadelphia School District while the child was in her care.
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Alford, also previously identified in some reports as Jalayshia and known to loved ones as “May,” lived with Williams at a home on the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia. She was last seen alive on Oct. 22, but was not reported missing until Oct. 26.
Investigators said surveillance footage recorded shortly before 2 a.m. on Oct. 26 showed what appeared to be a body being removed from the Philadelphia home. That video helped authorities identify a vehicle and locate an individual who provided information leading them to Alford’s remains.
Police found the child’s body around 11 p.m. Nov. 4 inside the trunk of a car parked near the Stonington Court Apartments in Lindenwold, approximately 15 miles from the home where she had been living.
A preliminary examination by the New Jersey medical examiner determined that Alford died from blunt force trauma. Her death was ruled a homicide. Prosecutors also said investigators found indications of ongoing physical abuse and evidence that objects had been used to carry it out.
Williams faces seven charges: murder, abuse of a corpse, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of an instrument of crime and tampering with evidence.
The investigation involved Philadelphia police, the FBI and authorities in Camden County. Officials have not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding the fatal injuries or identified the person who investigators say helped lead them to the child’s body. Reports indicate at least one other person was questioned in connection with the disposal of the remains.
Authorities have not disclosed which agency placed Alford in Williams’ care, how long the placement had been in effect, or whether additional charges may be filed. Williams is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case spans West Philadelphia and Lindenwold in Camden County, across the Pennsylvania-New Jersey state line. Alford’s body was found near the Stonington Court Apartments on Laurel Road in Lindenwold; the map link identifies the reported apartment complex area.
Google Maps: Stonington Court Apartments, Lindenwold, NJ (reported discovery area)
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