Missing 10-year-old Philadelphia girl found dead in New Jersey, foster mother charged with murder

A Philadelphia community is mourning the death of a missing 10-year-old girl whose body was discovered in New Jersey Wednesday night, as authorities announce murder charges against her foster mother.

(CNN)- A Philadelphia community is mourning the death of a missing 10-year-old girl whose body was discovered in New Jersey Wednesday night, as authorities announce murder charges against her foster mother.

Malayshia Alford was last seen at her Philadelphia home on October 22, prompting an extensive search involving community members, local police and the FBI.

The search ended Wednesday night when investigators discovered Alford’s body in the trunk of a vehicle in New Jersey.

Her foster mother has been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and several related offenses, according to authorities.

Investigators say a breakthrough came Wednesday when they obtained surveillance footage recorded during the early morning hours of October 26.

“There was video that shows what we believe to be her body being moved out of the home,” said Ashley Toczylowski, an assistant district attorney with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. “It was that video that then led law enforcement officials to a suspect vehicle.”

Authorities subsequently located Alford’s body inside the vehicle’s trunk.

“It was immediately apparent that she had been there for a while,” Toczylowski said.

Officials believe Alford died from blunt force trauma.

The discovery has devastated residents who participated in the search and hoped the girl would be found alive.

“I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry,” said Malcolm Jordan, who helped search for Alford.

“It’s just so heartbreaking that this is the end result,” Jordan said. “I just wish it was a different result, man, and uh we just got to do what we can to prevent this stuff from happening.”

Another neighbor expressed frustration over the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.

“Everybody failed this baby. Everybody,” the neighbor said.

Alford’s family is also demanding accountability.

Her uncle, Nafis Horne, spoke publicly Thursday, calling for those responsible for her care to be held accountable.

“I need everybody held accountable from the foster parents that was picked to take care of my niece. I want you held accountable,” Horne said.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding Alford’s death.