Philadelphia leaders seek foster care hearings after child’s death
Alford was last seen alive in Philadelphia on October 22, and authorities listed her as missing four days afterward. Following an inquiry by local officers and federal agents, investigators located her in an automobile’s cargo compartment in Lindenwold, New Jersey, on November 4.
Council members Jones and Phillips intend to put forward a measure calling for hearings on Alford’s case and oversight of children in foster care. Her 36-year-old foster parent, Carprice Williams, faces an accusation of killing her.
The proposed inquiry would examine how the city’s Department of Human Services, the school district and the courts handled Alford’s case. Jones also wants a review of DHS resources, including social workers’ caseloads, and ways to prevent other children from being left at risk.
Williams had been the subject of child maltreatment claims in a separate matter five years earlier. Officials recommended that she not foster again, and she was on a state “do not place” list, but Alford was later placed in her care. DHS officials are expected to appear as witnesses. A date for the hearing has not been chosen.
Philadelphia must answer for failures in foster care oversight
Malayshia Alford’s death demands more than condolences: Philadelphia leaders are proposing hearings to examine how the systems charged with protecting children allowed her to be placed with a foster mother who had previously faced child abuse allegations.
Alford was last seen alive on October 22 and authorities filed a missing-person report four days afterward. She was discovered in an automobile’s cargo compartment in Lindenwold, New Jersey, on November 4. Her foster mother, Carprice Williams, 36, is accused of killing her.
Council members Jones and Phillips intend to put forward a measure calling for answers about Alford’s case and broader oversight of foster care. Jones says the inquiry should scrutinize the Department of Human Services, the school district and the courts, as well as DHS resources such as social worker caseloads.
Officials had recommended five years ago that Williams not foster again after allegations in an unrelated child abuse case. She was also on a state “do not place” list, yet Alford was later placed in her care. DHS officials are expected to give testimony, though a hearing date has not been scheduled. The proposed hearings put the focus where it belongs: on how public systems can prevent another child from falling through the cracks.
Hearings must establish how foster care safeguards failed Alford
The proposed hearings into Malayshia Alford’s death should establish exactly how the agencies responsible for her placement handled the warning signs—and whether their oversight worked. The case raises urgent questions about the decisions and accountability of Philadelphia’s child welfare system.
Alford was last seen alive on October 22 and authorities filed a missing-person report four days afterward. She was discovered in an automobile’s cargo compartment in Lindenwold, New Jersey, on November 4. Her foster mother, 36-year-old Carprice Williams, faces an accusation of killing her.
Council members Jones and Phillips intend to put forward a measure calling for hearings on Alford’s case and oversight of foster children. The inquiry is expected to examine the city’s Department of Human Services, the school district and the courts, along with DHS resources, including social worker caseloads.
Williams had been the subject of child maltreatment claims in a separate matter five years earlier. Officials recommended that she never foster again, and she was on a state “do not place” list, but Alford was later placed in her care. DHS officials are expected to appear as witnesses. A date for the hearing has not been chosen. A review should trace how these decisions were made and identify steps to keep children from being exposed to similar failures.
Reported by CBS Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6abc Philadelphia.
