Philly teacher charged with killing foster daughter Malayshia Alford had a history of severe abuse, lawsuit says

Key Points:

• Carprice Williams, a 34-year-old foster mother and Philadelphia teacher, was charged with murdering 10-year-old Malayshia Alford, a child in her care, after a history of severe abuse toward another foster child was revealed in a recent lawsuit.
• In 2021, a 4-year-old girl previously in Williams’ care was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and malnourishment; state officials had recommended Williams never foster again, but she appealed and the abuse report was expunged.
• Malayshia was placed with Williams last summer despite the prior abuse history; her body was found in a car trunk after a 10-day search, prompting scrutiny of Philadelphia’s child welfare system and oversight by contracted agencies Catholic Community Services and Tabor Children’s Services.
• Advocates and officials expressed serious concerns about the Department of Human Services’ failure to prevent Malayshia’s placement with Williams and called for greater accountability and oversight of foster care agencies and child welfare practices.
• Family members and community leaders highlighted systemic failures, emphasizing that Malayshia had relatives willing to care for her and urging reforms including the creation of a child-welfare oversight board to prevent future tragedies.