PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced murder charges Thursday following the death of a missing 10-year-old girl whose body was found in South Jersey. Authorities said the girl’s adoptive mother, Caprice Williams, 36, has been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and several related crimes. The victim, Malayshia Allford, had been the subject of an intensive search after she disappeared from West Philadelphia. According to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski, investigators believe Malayshia was last seen alive on October 22. Authorities said surveillance video from Oct. 26 at approximately 1:53 a.m. appears to show a body being removed from a home in the 600 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia. that then led law enforcement officers to a suspicious vehicle, which then led law enforcement officers to find that vehicle and find a person they wanted to speak to in relation to that vehicle,” Toczylowski said. Police were able to speak with a witness tied to the vehicle, which ultimately led them to the body. Authorities said Malayshia was found dead in a car at the Stonington Court Apartments in Lindenwold, New Jersey, around 11 p.m. Wednesday. Her body was believed to have been transferred to another vehicle before she was found in South Jersey. A medical examiner determined the 10-year-old died from blunt force trauma. Her death was ruled a homicide. The girl attended the Robert E. Lamberton School in Philadelphia. “The Philadelphia School District 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 condolences to her family, friends and classmates,” the school district said in a statement. We mourn the loss of the girl: “These balloons are just a symbol of love, the outpouring of love that we have for this baby,” said one resident. Malcolm Jordan was part of the local search party in West Philadelphia. He cannot believe this tragic outcome. “It is heartbreaking that this is the end result. I just wish it was a different outcome, man, and we just have to do what we can to prevent this from happening,” he said. Prosecutors indicated there were signs of abuse and that objects may have been used to inflict injuries. They declined to provide further details about her injuries. Charges were announced in the death of a missing 10-year-old girl. Malaysia’s family attended Thursday’s news conference and asked for privacy as they prepare to bury her. Family members thanked the community for their support during the search and asked to the public to avoid prosecution as they face the loss. Anyone with information about the case can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online. Stay with Action News as we continue to follow this developing story. Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV.
