Police, FBI search for missing 10-year-old girl from West Philly who could be in danger
Jalayshia Alford, who also goes by Malayshia or “May,” has been missing since last week. She was last seen on the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia.
Local and federal law enforcement are searching for a 10-year-old girl who has been missing from West Philadelphia for more than a week and who police believe could be in danger.
Jalayshia Alford, who also goes by Malayshia or “May,” was last seen Oct. 26 around 7:30 a.m. on the 500 block of North Simpson Street, according to Philadelphia police.
Jalayshia, who stands 4-foot-11 and weighs about 70 pounds, was reportedly last seen wearing her school uniform — a blue polo shirt, skirt, and tights — as well as glasses and black sneakers or crocs, police said.
She was in the care of a foster family at the time of her disappearance, according to a law enforcement source who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.
Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said investigators recovered video that showed Jalayshia walking to and from school in the days before Oct. 26, but have not recovered footage of her on the block since. The timeline of her whereabouts provided by adults in her life beyond that is “foggy,” he said, and police are working to recover additional video and electronic evidence that could clarify it.
“I’m very concerned. It’s been too long, and she’s very young,” he said.
The FBI has joined the search effort with city police, and officials surveyed the area where she was last seen with dogs on Monday evening, Vanore said.
Vanore said he has assembled a large team, including homicide detectives who are specialized in digital forensics, to assist in the investigation.
“If she is with somebody, we are urging you to contact us,” he said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
