PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Dozens of community members gathered in West Philadelphia to honor the life of Malayshia Alford, the 10-year-old girl who was found dead in New Jersey last week, allegedly killed by her foster mother.
Winter Schneider helped organize the event on Sunday, and said it was important to give the community a chance to mourn together.
“This is May May Day. It’s the first annual. We hope to continue it,” Schneider said. “But it’s just an opportunity for everyone who’s really feeling this in their heart right now to come together and to uplift and to show love to our young people.”
Alford was last seen alive on Oct. 22 at a home on Simpson Street in West Philadelphia before she was reported missing.
She was found dead last week in the trunk of a car in Lindenwold, Camden County.
Alford’s foster mother and former Philadelphia public school teacher, Carprise Williams, was charged with murder.
According to court documents obtained by NBC10, witnesses told police that Williams had a history of abusing Alford.
Community member Weldon Johnson said that this is all indicative of failures in the foster care system.
“When things like this happen, it takes people in the community to try and nip it in the bud from happening to another family.”
Event organizers called the gathering “May May Day” in honor of the 10-year-old, who was found dead last week
Event organizers called the gathering “May May Day” in honor of the 10-year-old, who was found dead last week
