Philadelphia residents marched on Saturday demanding justice for 10‑year‑old Malayshia Allford, a foster child who died after alleged abuse by her foster mother.
The protest, organized by Hmbl Zay, targeted the city’s Department of Human Services and the School District of Philadelphia headquarters, calling for accountability and better care for children in foster care.
The demonstration followed Allford’s death in a New Jersey trunk two days earlier, after which her foster mother, 34‑year‑old Carprice Williams, was charged with murder.
According to the criminal complaint, Williams allegedly denied Allford food and water, forced her to walk up and down stairs in a weighted vest, and struck her with a phone cord, while also attempting to conceal the crime by texting after the death.
Child Advocacy Center CEO Leslie Slingsby noted that foster children remain at high risk of abuse and emphasized the need to examine these cases to improve the system.
Attorney Nadeem Bezar is investigating whether certifying agencies missed warning signs, citing a prior abuse case involving a 4‑year‑old girl in Williams’s care, and the Philadelphia School District is also under investigation for her role as a teacher.
Family and friends plan to honor Allford at a May May Day gathering Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Morris Park in Overbrook.
Source: 6abc.com
