Murder of 10-year-old foster child Malayshia Allford sparks protests in Philadelphia
Residents marched through Philadelphia demanding justice after foster child Malayshia Allford, 10, was found dead in a New Jersey trunk. Her foster mother faces murder charges.
Philadelphia marches for Malayshia Allford as foster system faces scrutiny
Hundreds of concerned residents took to the streets of Philadelphia on Saturday, demanding justice for 10-year-old Malayshia Allford and calling for reforms to the city's foster care system, 6abc.com reports. Demonstrators marched to the city's Department of Human Services and the School District of Philadelphia headquarters, chanting "Protect our children. Demand accountability."
The protest came two days after Allford was found dead inside a trunk in New Jersey. Her foster mother, Carprice Williams, 34, has been charged with her murder.
"Our kids need us. Our kids the future," said organiser Hmbl Zay. "We gotta get these people in place that's working with the kids that love the kids. Not doing it for a check."
According to the criminal complaint, Williams verbally and physically abused Allford before her death. Juvenile witnesses told investigators that Allford was denied food and water, forced to walk up and down stairs wearing a weighted vest, and struck with a phone cord.
The complaint further alleges that Williams attempted to conceal the crime by texting Allford's phone after the child's death, asking for her location, then responding from that same phone claiming Allford was with family and did not wish to be adopted.
Leslie Slingsby, CEO of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center — a nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of child abuse — said the case reflects a broader and persistent problem. "It's a real problem that we are still having kids who are dying at the hands of people who are supposed to be loving and caring for them," Slingsby said. She added that foster children face elevated risks: "Foster children are high risk unfortunately for abuse and neglect and trafficking."
Slingsby called for systematic review. "I think these cases are really important to examine because there are important lessons for us to learn and make sure we're changing the system," she said.
Questions have also been raised about the child welfare agencies responsible for certifying foster homes. Attorney Nadeem Bezar, a partner at Kline & Specter, said Williams had previously severely abused a four-year-old girl in her care — abuse that was reportedly documented by a prior certifying agency when that foster home was closed. "How does it happen? It's not supposed to. Plain and simple," Bezar said. "This is never supposed to happen again."
Williams was also employed as a teacher within the Philadelphia School District, which is now also under investigation.
Family and friends are expected to gather on Sunday to honour Allford at an event called May May Day, scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. at Morris Park in Overbrook.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)