Justice For Honors Teen Phylicia Barnes: A Mother’s Trust & The “Wicked Half-Siblings”

She has made it known from the very start that most of the blame for her daughter’s senseless murder should fall upon the door steps of Deena Barnes. Janice Sallis-Mustafa has even said she believes that Deena should go to jail longer than the man accused of killing her pretty little girl, because Phylicia Barnes was left in her care while she visited Baltimore over the Christmas Holiday back in 2010. Perhaps that’s a pretty harsh position to hold, but such a perspective is certainly the grieving mom’s prerogative, and considering the circumstances it’s a well deserved indictment. Janice had allowed her daughter to visit Baltimore City several times in the past before the infamous December 28, 2010 visit, with Phylicia returning to her hometown of Monroe, North Carolina unharmed after those trips. Mrs. Mustafa had a lengthy dialogue with Deena prior to allowing Phylicia to visit her half-siblings and most of that discussion centered around the mom’s expectations pertaining to the manner in which her daughter would be supervised. The Barnes teen was more familiar with a structured environment in a two parent home from a small rural southern town. According to Janice, Deena Barnes had advised her that she and Phylicia would be the only people staying at her Northwest Baltimore apartment during the duration of Phylicia’s stay. In Janice’ mind that’s where the trouble began, because not only was there others staying at her apartment, they were older males, and a culture of drug and alcohol usage was a routine occurrence while the child visited. Janice said that Deena told blatant lies regarding her home life when she knew Phylicia would never have been permitted to travel to Baltimore under such conditions. Though many have criticized her for allowing her daughter to travel to Baltimore, Janice’ anger stems from the deception that Deena displayed during that initial discussion prior to Phylicia traveling to visit. Janice Mustafa simply trusted the Barnes family (chiefly Deena Barnes) with the care of her precious daughter. The culture that existed at that apartment  wasn’t conducive for any teen, let alone a naive book smart kid from the rural south. Sadly, it wasn’t discovered until after Phylicia went missing that the child had been allowed to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. There were also other signs on December 28 that must raise suspicion. When Phylicia went missing Deena Barnes never even telephoned Janice to advise her that something had gone wrong. Instead, Janice acted on a gut feeling and called Dena after she was unsuccessful trying to reach her daughter  via cell phone. Deena called her father Russell Barnes, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia to tell him that Phylicia was missing instead of the child’s mother who was Phylicia’s custodial parent. There is a lot of speculation as to what actually occurred after Russell was contacted. Russell Barnes called his step-brother, a Baltimore City police officer,  who showed up and began questioning people. In the confusion it was conveyed to police that the teen had gone to get some food. It’s unclear who actually told the cops this, but that statement caused police to conclude that the child may not necessarily have been in danger, and some say it bought her killers time to either dispose of her body or destroy crucial forensic evidence that could have linked someone to her murder. The police didn’t treat Phylicia’s disappearance as a missing persons case until she missed her January 6, 2010 flight back to Monroe. However, Janice Mustafa was given shocking information  regarding the kind of atmosphere her daughter had been exposed to prior to going to Baltimore to look for Phylicia. One of Phylicia’s peers became distraught believing something horrible may have happened to the teen, and told her mother that Phylicia admitted having been allowed to drink vodka and smoke pot during her trips to Baltimore. Janice said the child became upset and concerned she hadn’t revealed to adults sooner what Phylicia previously had told her. Upon Janice arriving in Baltimore she confronted Deena Barnes with the information that Phylicia’s friend had revealed to her. Janice said Deena admitted allowing Phylicia to engage in that kind of activity while under her care, and stated “she was only a one puff girl”. Janice also said the child’s biological father (or sperm donor as she calls him) Russell Barnes also said, “When I was young my uncles allowed me to smoke pot”. Janice said she became furious because Phylicia had never been allowed to participate or engage in that kind of activity.  Deena Barnes as denied allowing Phylicia to engage in drugs and alcohol to the media, but TPC was  sent images of the young men who lived and hung out at Deena Barnes’ apartment engaging in the exact same kind of activity that Phylicia’s friend told Janice that her daughter was also allowed to engage in. The pictures display a party atmosphere with vodka and marijuana present, which is exactly to the letter what the child described to Janice. Janice said her daughter was a flower before she began to interact with her half-sibling Dena Barnes. From an objective standpoint Janice’s revelation of these events has always held credibility considering the urgency of locating Phylicia at that time, and the fact that the mother had no motive to tell a lie on Deena. When the images surfaced it only fueled a public perception that Deena Barnes more than likely had lied and may not have been forthright with Janice regarding what happened to her daughter. Additionally, The Barnes half-siblings gave a disturbing interview on a TPC affiliate Blogtalk Radio Broadcast with the Nationally recognized “Peas In Their Pods”. During that interview comments by Deena and her younger sister Kelly Barnes troubled listeners, as their account of the day Phylicia went missing was void of resolving important details about the child’s disappearance. There was laughter in the background, Deena and Kelly both had trouble recalling information under direct questioning, and their overall demeanor appeared wasn’t consistent with relatives whom had lost a younger member of their family.  The interview also resolved rumors regarding who actually was living at Deena’s apartment. Deena confirmed that her boyfriend Michael Johnson and his cousin William Johnson were both actually living at her home while Phylicia was visiting. This contradicts what she told Janice Mustafa prior to Phylicia initially having traveled to Baltimore. A pretty young girl in the midst of older males engaging in drugs and alcohol spells trouble almost every time. The main reason Janice talked with Deena about supervision stems from her concern of not having her daughter exposed to a negative environment, but that’s just what Deena Barnes exposed the child to. Moreover, some of the blame must also fall on Kelly Barnes as well, because she was scheduled to pick the child up the day she went missing to go shopping for beauty supplies, and make a hair appointment. Kelly who says she was scheduled to get off that day early never made it by Deena’s apartment to pick Phylicia up. This aspect of the case continues to bother many, and Kelly Barnes has never publicly explained why she never went by the apartment to get Phylicia. In fact, deena admitted during the Peas Interview that Phylicia would travel to work with either her or Kelly each day, but the only day the child doesn’t accompany neither of them just mysteriously disappears. We may never actually know the answers to many of the questions regarding that day which continue to linger, but the fact that this pretty little girl was left alone with older known drug using males creates suspicion that will never dissipate until her killer(s) are known. Janice Mustafa has the right to be angered by this senseless tragedy and her description of Deena and Kelly Barnes as the “Evil Half-Siblings” is justified while considering how they failed to protect this precious child under their care. Justice must come for this precious child who only trusted people who were suppose to protect her.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

David Adams

David B. Adams grew up in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore's southeast district and is his parent's youngest child. He experienced pervasive poverty, which taught him humility and compassion for the plight of others. His exposure to violence and gritty urban life were some of his early lessons of life's many hardships. Adams credits the upheavals he endured during his conformity with helping to shape the foundation of his outlook and perspectives on society. With a steadfast commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and blogger renowned for tireless investigative journalism and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. As founder and administrator of The People's Champion, Adams sheds light on critical social issues, championing the rights of: - Homeless individuals - Victims of violent crime and their families - Wrongfully convicted individuals - Missing and exploited children; Additionally, he is a seasoned investigative reporter, Adams has earned recognition for relentless pursuit of truth and justice. With a strong national and global focus, on inspiring meaningful change and crucial conversations impacting all of humanity.

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She has made it known from the very start that most of the blame for her daughter’s senseless murder should fall upon the door steps of Deena Barnes. Janice Sallis-Mustafa has even said she believes that Deena should go to jail longer than the man accused of killing her pretty little girl, because Phylicia Barnes was left in her care while she visited Baltimore over the Christmas Holiday back in 2010. Perhaps that’s a pretty harsh position to hold, but such a perspective is certainly the grieving mom’s prerogative, and considering the circumstances it’s a well deserved indictment. Janice had allowed her daughter to visit Baltimore City several times in the past before the infamous December 28, 2010 visit, with Phylicia returning to her hometown of Monroe, North Carolina unharmed after those trips. Mrs. Mustafa had a lengthy dialogue with Deena prior to allowing Phylicia to visit her half-siblings and most of that discussion centered around the mom’s expectations pertaining to the manner in which her daughter would be supervised. The Barnes teen was more familiar with a structured environment in a two parent home from a small rural southern town. According to Janice, Deena Barnes had advised her that she and Phylicia would be the only people staying at her Northwest Baltimore apartment during the duration of Phylicia’s stay. In Janice’ mind that’s where the trouble began, because not only was there others staying at her apartment, they were older males, and a culture of drug and alcohol usage was a routine occurrence while the child visited. Janice said that Deena told blatant lies regarding her home life when she knew Phylicia would never have been permitted to travel to Baltimore under such conditions. Though many have criticized her for allowing her daughter to travel to Baltimore, Janice’ anger stems from the deception that Deena displayed during that initial discussion prior to Phylicia traveling to visit. Janice Mustafa simply trusted the Barnes family (chiefly Deena Barnes) with the care of her precious daughter. The culture that existed at that apartment  wasn’t conducive for any teen, let alone a naive book smart kid from the rural south. Sadly, it wasn’t discovered until after Phylicia went missing that the child had been allowed to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. There were also other signs on December 28 that must raise suspicion. When Phylicia went missing Deena Barnes never even telephoned Janice to advise her that something had gone wrong. Instead, Janice acted on a gut feeling and called Dena after she was unsuccessful trying to reach her daughter  via cell phone. Deena called her father Russell Barnes, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia to tell him that Phylicia was missing instead of the child’s mother who was Phylicia’s custodial parent. There is a lot of speculation as to what actually occurred after Russell was contacted. Russell Barnes called his step-brother, a Baltimore City police officer,  who showed up and began questioning people. In the confusion it was conveyed to police that the teen had gone to get some food. It’s unclear who actually told the cops this, but that statement caused police to conclude that the child may not necessarily have been in danger, and some say it bought her killers time to either dispose of her body or destroy crucial forensic evidence that could have linked someone to her murder. The police didn’t treat Phylicia’s disappearance as a missing persons case until she missed her January 6, 2010 flight back to Monroe. However, Janice Mustafa was given shocking information  regarding the kind of atmosphere her daughter had been exposed to prior to going to Baltimore to look for Phylicia. One of Phylicia’s peers became distraught believing something horrible may have happened to the teen, and told her mother that Phylicia admitted having been allowed to drink vodka and smoke pot during her trips to Baltimore. Janice said the child became upset and concerned she hadn’t revealed to adults sooner what Phylicia previously had told her. Upon Janice arriving in Baltimore she confronted Deena Barnes with the information that Phylicia’s friend had revealed to her. Janice said Deena admitted allowing Phylicia to engage in that kind of activity while under her care, and stated “she was only a one puff girl”. Janice also said the child’s biological father (or sperm donor as she calls him) Russell Barnes also said, “When I was young my uncles allowed me to smoke pot”. Janice said she became furious because Phylicia had never been allowed to participate or engage in that kind of activity.  Deena Barnes as denied allowing Phylicia to engage in drugs and alcohol to the media, but TPC was  sent images of the young men who lived and hung out at Deena Barnes’ apartment engaging in the exact same kind of activity that Phylicia’s friend told Janice that her daughter was also allowed to engage in. The pictures display a party atmosphere with vodka and marijuana present, which is exactly to the letter what the child described to Janice. Janice said her daughter was a flower before she began to interact with her half-sibling Dena Barnes. From an objective standpoint Janice’s revelation of these events has always held credibility considering the urgency of locating Phylicia at that time, and the fact that the mother had no motive to tell a lie on Deena. When the images surfaced it only fueled a public perception that Deena Barnes more than likely had lied and may not have been forthright with Janice regarding what happened to her daughter. Additionally, The Barnes half-siblings gave a disturbing interview on a TPC affiliate Blogtalk Radio Broadcast with the Nationally recognized “Peas In Their Pods”. During that interview comments by Deena and her younger sister Kelly Barnes troubled listeners, as their account of the day Phylicia went missing was void of resolving important details about the child’s disappearance. There was laughter in the background, Deena and Kelly both had trouble recalling information under direct questioning, and their overall demeanor appeared wasn’t consistent with relatives whom had lost a younger member of their family.  The interview also resolved rumors regarding who actually was living at Deena’s apartment. Deena confirmed that her boyfriend Michael Johnson and his cousin William Johnson were both actually living at her home while Phylicia was visiting. This contradicts what she told Janice Mustafa prior to Phylicia initially having traveled to Baltimore. A pretty young girl in the midst of older males engaging in drugs and alcohol spells trouble almost every time. The main reason Janice talked with Deena about supervision stems from her concern of not having her daughter exposed to a negative environment, but that’s just what Deena Barnes exposed the child to. Moreover, some of the blame must also fall on Kelly Barnes as well, because she was scheduled to pick the child up the day she went missing to go shopping for beauty supplies, and make a hair appointment. Kelly who says she was scheduled to get off that day early never made it by Deena’s apartment to pick Phylicia up. This aspect of the case continues to bother many, and Kelly Barnes has never publicly explained why she never went by the apartment to get Phylicia. In fact, deena admitted during the Peas Interview that Phylicia would travel to work with either her or Kelly each day, but the only day the child doesn’t accompany neither of them just mysteriously disappears. We may never actually know the answers to many of the questions regarding that day which continue to linger, but the fact that this pretty little girl was left alone with older known drug using males creates suspicion that will never dissipate until her killer(s) are known. Janice Mustafa has the right to be angered by this senseless tragedy and her description of Deena and Kelly Barnes as the “Evil Half-Siblings” is justified while considering how they failed to protect this precious child under their care. Justice must come for this precious child who only trusted people who were suppose to protect her.

 

 

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

David Adams

David B. Adams grew up in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore's southeast district and is his parent's youngest child. He experienced pervasive poverty, which taught him humility and compassion for the plight of others. His exposure to violence and gritty urban life were some of his early lessons of life's many hardships. Adams credits the upheavals he endured during his conformity with helping to shape the foundation of his outlook and perspectives on society. With a steadfast commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and blogger renowned for tireless investigative journalism and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. As founder and administrator of The People's Champion, Adams sheds light on critical social issues, championing the rights of: - Homeless individuals - Victims of violent crime and their families - Wrongfully convicted individuals - Missing and exploited children; Additionally, he is a seasoned investigative reporter, Adams has earned recognition for relentless pursuit of truth and justice. With a strong national and global focus, on inspiring meaningful change and crucial conversations impacting all of humanity.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

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