Philadelphia councilmembers seek hearing on foster care system after death of Malaysia Allford

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia city councilmembers are calling for answers from the city's foster care system following the death of 10-year-old Malayshia Allford, who was found dead after being missing for more than a week.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. said he and Councilmember Anthony Phillips plan to introduce a resolution seeking a hearing on Philadelphia's foster care system.

Jones said the hearing would examine Malayshia's case as well as broader policies and practices within the system.

Jones said the goal is to ask difficult questions while ensuring accountability.

"We're introducing a resolution to answer the hard questions. Without bashing, without blaming totally, but holding people accountable," Jones said.

RELATED: Philadelphia's foster care oversight questioned after death of Malayshia Allford

Jones also questioned how multiple systems may have failed to identify problems.

"How did we, as a system, miss it in the school district, miss it in the court, and miss it within the foster care system?" he said.

Malayshia's foster mother, 36-year-old Carprice Williams, is accused of killing the child.

Officials with the Department of Human Services are expected to be among those called to testify if the hearing moves forward. Jones said the proceedings would address both Malayshia's case and foster care policy more broadly.

The hearing also is intended to evaluate DHS resources and examine how some children may be at risk of falling through the cracks.

"It begins with how many social workers have how many kids, and is it too many?" Jones said.

Williams previously faced child abuse allegations in an unrelated case five years ago. Officials had recommended that Williams never be allowed to foster a child again, but Malayshia was still put in her care.

"How did this woman become a foster parent, have issues in the past and then have another kid in her care?" Jones said.

RELATED: Foster mother charged in 10-year-old's death previously faced abuse allegations, attorney says

Jones said he hopes Malayshia's family, through their heartbreak, will participate in efforts to improve the foster care system.

"Hopefully they will gather themselves and be a part of helping to change this system," he said.

Jones will partner with Phillips to hold the hearing. A date has not yet been set.