Lower Merion Police Search Dumpster in Search of Missing Girl Malayshia Alford

Police officers searched the backyard dumpster of a home on Ardmore Avenue in Lower Merion Township on Tuesday night while investigating the disappearance of Malayshia Alford. The 10-year-old girl was last seen on North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia on October 26. Investigators entered the property with a search warrant after no one answered the door. They forced their way inside and removed evidence from the dumpster, which the homeowner said was being used to hold construction debris during house renovations. It remains unclear what specific items were taken.

Family members provided conflicting accounts regarding the girl's location prior to her disappearance. They stated that Malayshia's foster mother told relatives the girl had gone to her biological mother's home. However, family members noted that the biological mother did not have visitation rights and that Malayshia was not present at that residence. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner confirmed his office is supporting the investigation. He explained that his team is involved because certain legal obstacles must be met to continue an investigation of this nature. Krasner declined to elaborate on the specific legal hurdles.

The expansion of the search has drawn attention from local residents in Lower Merion. One woman who lives in the area and works with children expressed her concern about the situation. She said the case breaks her heart and that she hopes the girl is found safely. Plainclothes officers canvassed Ardmore Avenue on Wednesday seeking surveillance video. Law enforcement agents also knocked on residents' doors on Tuesday night to ask questions about the dumpster.

Police are asking anyone with information about Malayshia's whereabouts to contact them. Krasner clarified that the girl's first name is Malayshia, noting that police had previously identified it as Jalayshia.