Charges and evidence of abuse
Along with murder, Williams faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at Thursday's news conference.
Officials ruled Malayshia's death a homicide and said blunt force trauma was the suspected cause. "We do have an indication that there were instances of abuse happening, and that items were used to carry out that abuse," Toczylowski said.
District Attorney Lawrence Krasner said bruises and scars on the girl's body suggested a history of physical abuse, Daily Voice reported. He did not describe the suspected abuse in further detail.
Krasner said Williams had no criminal record. According to payroll records cited by The Philadelphia Inquirer, she works as a teacher for the Philadelphia School District. CNN reported that it was seeking to establish whether she had an attorney.
How investigators found Malayshia
Police, the FBI and community members searched for Malayshia after she disappeared from her Philadelphia home. Wayne Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia, described an "around-the-clock effort" that involved interviewing witnesses and examining digital evidence.
The investigation shifted Wednesday when authorities obtained surveillance footage recorded early on Oct. 26. Toczylowski said investigators believe the footage shows Malayshia's body being taken from the home in a bag. Authorities believe she was placed in one car and later moved to another.
Investigators used the footage to identify and locate a vehicle, then interviewed a witness connected to it. That interview with police and the FBI "ultimately led law enforcement officials to her body," Toczylowski said. She said the discovery and "what this witness said to law enforcement" formed the basis for the charges.
Malayshia's body was found around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in a car trunk. The Inquirer, citing law enforcement officials, identified the vehicle as a Lincoln sedan parked at an apartment complex on the 1800 block of Laurel Road in Lindenwold, in New Jersey's Camden County. Toczylowski said "it was immediately apparent that she had been there for a while."
The car belonged to one of Williams' relatives, according to law enforcement sources cited by the Inquirer. Those sources, speaking anonymously about the ongoing investigation, said police had questioned at least one other person they believed helped Williams dispose of Malayshia's remains.
Family's efforts to regain custody
Malayshia had lived with Williams for about two years on the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia, according to the Inquirer. Her aunt Yolanda Brown described her as shy, timid and smart, and said she had three siblings.
Relatives said they had been trying to regain custody from the state of Pennsylvania since Malayshia entered foster care a few years earlier, PEOPLE reported. Another aunt, Nyfisha Alford, told ABC 6 that she had sought custody but was ignored after a home visit, according to PEOPLE.
At Thursday's news conference, family members spoke of their love for Malayshia and said they were going through a "very hard time." Neighbors and other community members placed teddy bears and pink balloons at a memorial for her.
"She deserved safety. She deserved to be loved. She deserved a chance to grow up," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said.
Child welfare officials face questions
Krasner said his office planned further discussions with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, the county's child welfare agency.
The department's commissioner, Kimberly Ali, confirmed that Malayshia had been in city custody and was receiving foster care services, Daily Voice reported. Ali said confidentiality requirements under Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law barred the department from releasing more information about the circumstances of her death.
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson called for scrutiny of the case and the agencies responsible for Malayshia. The city must "take a hard look at the circumstances surrounding [Malayshia's] disappearance and the systems entrusted with her care," he said in a Thursday statement reported by the Inquirer.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said authorities would continue investigating and seek justice. "As a mother, this has shaken me to my core," she said.
Support at Malayshia's school
Malayshia was a student at Robert E. Lamberton School in Philadelphia. The School District of Philadelphia said it was "heartbroken" by her death.
Counselors were available to students and staff on Nov. 5 and were scheduled to return on Nov. 6, according to the Inquirer and Daily Voice.
