By Dalia Faheid, CNN
(CNN) — The foster mother of a 10-year-old girl whose disappearance sparked a massive search before her body was found across state lines nearly two weeks later has been charged with murder, Philadelphia officials said Thursday.
Malayshia Alford, who was last seen at her home on October 22, had vanished, triggering an intense search by locals, the police department and the FBI.
On Wednesday, law enforcement reached a turning point: They found video surveillance from the early morning hours of October 26 showing what authorities believe to be her body being moved out of the home in a bag, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at a news conference Thursday.
The video pointed police to a witness who ultimately led police to Malayshia’s body late Wednesday night in the trunk of a car in New Jersey, Toczylowski said. Her cause of death is believed to be blunt force trauma and her manner of death was ruled a homicide, officials said.
“We do have an indication that there were instances of abuse happening, and that items were used to carry out that abuse,” Toczylowski said.
Malayshia’s foster mother, 36-year-old Caprice Williams, has been 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, Toczylowski said.
Williams did not have a criminal record, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner. CNN is working to determine whether Williams has legal representation.
“She deserved safety. She deserved to be loved. She deserved a chance to grow up,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said about Malayshia at the news conference.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said Thursday authorities will continue to investigate the tragedy and seek justice.
“As a mother, this has shaken me to my core,” Parker said in a statement. “I can’t stop thinking about this precious baby and the heartache and turmoil that her immediate village will endure.”
Surveillance video led authorities to her body
Authorities say they believe Malayshia was removed from her home after she was last seen there on October 22. She was then placed in one car and later transferred to another, Toczylowski said.
Police, the FBI and the community scrambled to find the missing girl. Wayne Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, said the “around-the-clock effort” included witness interviews and a review of digital evidence.
The surveillance video recovered Wednesday then eventually led to the grim discovery.
“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,” Toczylowski said.
Then, that witness was interviewed by police and the FBI, which “ultimately led law enforcement officials to her body.”
The charges against Williams are a result of the discovery and “what this witness said to law enforcement,” Toczylowski said.
Around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Malayshia was found dead in the trunk of a vehicle in New Jersey and “it was immediately apparent that she had been there for a while,” Toczylowski said.
Krasner said his office will be in touch with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, the county’s child welfare agency, and they “look forward to speaking to them further about this.”
CNN has reached out to the agency for comment.
Malayshia’s family expressed their grief at the news conference, saying they loved her and are going through a “very hard time.” Neighbors and community members placed pink balloons and teddy bears in front of a memorial honoring Malayshia.
“There are few things more heartbreaking than a loss of a child. A young life filled with promise, possibilities in the future that should have been hers to experience,” Jacobs said. “To lose a child under circumstances like these, in a place where she should have been safe, it’s almost impossible to comprehend.”
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