A West Philadelphia community honored 10-year-old Malayshia Alford as her family questioned how the foster care system failed to protect her.
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Community remembers Malayshia Alford as family demands accountability
Community members gathered in Philadelphia on Sunday, Nov. 8,
to remember 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, whose body was found in the trunk of a car in South Jersey, as her family called for accountability from the agencies responsible for protecting her.
The gathering, called "May May Day" in honor of Malayshia's name, took place at Morris Park near 68th Street and Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia.
Malayshia, who was in Philadelphia's foster care system, had been missing for about two weeks before her body was discovered Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Lindenwold, NJ.
Her foster mother, Carprice Williams, remains behind bars charged with murdering the girl and attempting to cover up the crime.
Organizers said they decided to hold the community event after meeting so many children at a memorial for Malayshia following news of her death. They wanted to create a space for the community to come together and begin healing.
Malayshia's biological uncle, Nafis Horne, said he wants everyone who had a responsibility to protect his niece to be held accountable.
"I need accountability from the city of Philadelphia, the school district for allowing this foster parent to work in the system. 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 said.
His concerns come as questions grow about how Williams was allowed to care for Malayshia despite previous allegations of abuse.
The NBC10 Investigators found that
Williams had been accused of abusing another foster child in 2020. Williams was also working for the School District of Philadelphia.
Those findings have raised questions about the oversight of foster parents and why Williams was permitted to foster another child.
The commissioner of Philadelphia's Department of Human Services, which oversees the city's foster care system, confirmed that Malayshia was in its care.
However, the commissioner said the department could not release additional information because of confidentiality requirements under the Child Protective Services Law.
"“We are incredibly saddened to learn of the death of Jalayshia "Malayshia" Alford. We offer our sincere condolences to the family on this tragic loss. Jalayshia "Malayshia" was in the custody of the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services. She was receiving foster care services through Pennsylvania Mentor and case management services through Catholic Community Services, Community Umbrella Agency 4. Based on the confidentiality requirements of the Child Protective Services Law, we are unable to provide further information at this time," DHS Commissioner Kimberly Ali wrote in a statement.
As the community mourns Malayshia's death, her family continues to push for answers about the circumstances that led to her death and the systems responsible for her protection.
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