Sometimes as a writer in a quest to bring News and Attention to tragic stories that impact society, we can be insensitive to those who have suffered the most when tragedy has come. In the Phylicia Barnes murder case no one has suffered and endured more pain than Janice Sallis-Mustafa, her husband, and their remaining kids. My beloved Muslim brother R. Mustafa, Phylicia Barnes’ real Dad returned a call that I put out to him. I wanted to have a National Town Meeting on a Nationally Broadcast Blogtalk Radio Show to acknowledge the 1 year mark of the disappearance of their studious child. Brother Mustafa explained to me that his wife and kids have been grieving intently as December 28 draws near. I personally apologize to the Mustafa Family for my selfishness and not considering their privacy at such an extremely challenging time. Mustafa said it seems unlikely that Janice would be emotionally willing to do another National Broadcast, but he did not rule out that possibility. I had not heard anything in National media regarding the pretty little girl’s story and I wanted to keep the case in the spotlight. Mustafa advised me that other News Media has attempted to contact his family on an ongoing basis, but he had to turn off his wife’s cell phone because it was too overwhelming doing this time in which his family is continuing to grieve the lost of their promising child. So, I did provide the necessary information in the event that the Mustafa family decides to speak publicly, but I will not pursue National Publicity about Phylicia’s case at this time. However, Mustafa went on to say that “everything that Janice said is true”, refering to her TPC Blog Inerview and other public statements in the Media. He spoke briefly about the Barnes Family and their dishonesty pertaining to the case. Mustafa said “all of these people who say they loved Phylicia have never been around”. “They have never been at any of her Birthday Parties that I have paid for”. Mustafa seemed agitated by comments that Deena and Kelly Barnes made regarding their relationship with Phylicia. “they say they met her when she was 6 years old and fell in love with her, but where were they up until she was 15”? Mustafa commented on Sandra Barnes recent comments on the TPC Blog about her being the niece of Russell Barnes’ adoptive father. Mustafa said though her comments were factual, “I nor Phylicia ever met that side of the Barnes Family”. He also pointed out that Sandra’s comments depicted how vicious those Barnes family members were that, “She didn’t want to associate with them herself”. Mustafa says that the truth is coming out now. “God is going to bring everything out now”.  Brother Mustafa also talked about today’s youth, and the problems that society faces if adults do not get involved in their kids lives. “Be a good Uncle, Aunt, Brother, or Father, and do something”. Mustafa briefly talked about his life growing up in the west side of Chicago. He said he never thought that he would see places worst then Chicago, but he was shocked when he saw the volume of young women being pimped out and prostituted along North Avenue in Baltimore the night he searched for his daughter. ” When I got to Baltimore and heard Phylicia might be pimped out by some pimp, I drove all up and down North Avenue looking for her”. Mustafa was extremely vocal about the duty of a man. “A man is supposed to protect women not exploit them”. I didn’t want to take much of his time, but as our conversation ended Mustafa said the family’s focus is staying strong, together, and protecting their remaining kids. “That’s my job to protect this family”. Brother Mustafa asked that I convey to my Blog Followers and the nation, to continue to pray for the Mustafa Family as they continue to grieve.

A National Prayer for the Family of Phylica Barnes

Father God come into this place right now. Touch every heart, every soul and all who  loved, knew, and became acquainted with your beautiful daughter whom you’ve called home. We ask that you might bless us all, especially Phylicia’s family members who continue to morn her passing. Give them the strength to continue on knowing that Phylicia Simone Barnes is now in your loving care. Father we ask that you put your arms around the Mustafas and their little babies and guide them to your throne. your throne of righteousness, peace, and comforting. Father we know it’s been a year since this tragedy occurred, but let our hearts not wonder, our emotions spur bitterness, anger, and revenge. For we know that your word teaches us that vengeance is yours. We have not forgotten your promise that you will be with us until the end of our days upon this earth. We know that you are working this murder case and will bring atonement upon those who are responsible. Father we are a sinful people and only against you have we gone astray. Father we have faith and will continue to pray, and worship your name that justice and righteousness will prevail in this senseless tragedy. Father have mercy on the Mustafas. Have mercy on the Barnes family, and father have mercy on Phylicia’s killers. For you have taught us that we must bare forgiveness even for those whom have harmed us. Father embrace us all as we await your judgment on the day that we shall all come to know. We thank you for your blessings, your mercy, and your grace. In your name we pray!

Amen, Amen, and Amen.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

The Late Phylicia Simoe Barnes

Before the body of pretty young Philicia Barnes was even found and  pulled from the chilly waters of the Susquehanna River, many in the public who were following the case became suspicious of the account that led up to her murder by those closest to the child in Baltimore. The authorities investigating the killing remain tight lipped about new leads, if any, pertaining to who maybe responsible for the child’s murder. Recently, the child’s mother Janice Sallis-Mustafa gave a chilling account of her interaction with Philicia’s Baltimore family that may offer insight into a possible motive in her killing. The mother’s interview sparked a rare public emergence from Phlicia’s Biological Father and Brother in an attempt to refute what Janice Sallis-Mustafa claims she experienced during and after her marriage to Russell Barnes.That attempt failed miserably when Russell made a debut post on TPC Blog exclaiming, “You people are messing with the wrong family” and another comment that indicated that he himself apparently believes he is in “battle”. Also, others chimed in conveying displeasure with Janice publicly speaking out about past family troubles, and seemingly trying to disassociate Phylicia’s killing from Janice’ relationship with Russell Barnes. However, comments made by the child’s brother Bryan Barnes confirmed Janice’ account regarding Russell’s deadbeat dad history. Not only that, but Russell’s comments which had a veiled inference to threats and violence, more than likely qualified what the grieving mom said, to be absolutely credible. Moreover, a recent TPC Blog Poster, Sandra Barnes, who identified herself as the niece of Russell Barnes’ adoptive father, made some explosive comments about her own family, and nearly substantiated much of what Janice Sallis-Mustafa said about her relationship with her ex-husband’s side of the family. Sandra Barnes revealed that when she first learned about Phylicia’s disappearance that she herself became suspicious of her Cousin Deena Barnes. Sandra says she believes “Deena is covering for Micheal  Johnson and his family, if not for her own self”. Sandra made it clear that she believes that they all are complicit in some way related to Phylicia’s murder. She said that she had been taught not to associate with those family members, because “they are no good people”. These comments here on the TPC Blog are probably some of the most damning that we have seen related to public suspicion surrounding the Barnes sisters account about what happened to Phylicia Barnes. For the first time we see a defection from the Barnes clan’ solidarity like public posture related to this case. Sandra Barnes went even further, boldly proclaiming “I’m not scared of none of you bastards”. Sandra called her family members “liars and murders”, but fell short of explicitly naming who those comments were directed toward. Sandra feels that her uncle should have never adopted Russell Barnes. She said, “Maybe everyone would have peace right now” if Russell had not been adopted by her family. Sandra also places blame on russell himself for the character of his other children. In the early stages of the investigation into the murder of Phylicia, Sandra says she went on the “Pray for Phylicia Barnes” Facebbook page and tried to give her theory about the case. Sandra said that the Barnes Family became so agitated with her comments that she was blocked from making post on the site. She believes that her comments hit home and was bringing the focus rightfully on Russell Barnes and his daughters. Sandra expressed that she is grateful that family discouraged her from having a relationship with those family members, and that she feels they may have even killed her. Sandra also said that there was a lot of truth to what Janice Sallis-Mustafa said in her TPC Blog Interview, and she referred to Russell Bares as a “child abuser” and “woman beater”. Sandra Barnes’ comments, though a personal perspective about this tragic case by one person, is explosive and confirms that members of the Barnes’ own family suspect involvement by other Barnes family members in the murder of young Phylicia Barnes, if not at the very apex of this horrific crime.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

 Any black man in America who dare boldly stand up against the oppressive and racist economic and social systems in our nation will pay the ultimate price. We are well aware of the list of courageous men who have fallen as martyrs for their people, as far back as Slavery to the Civil Rights Era in America, and we know that freedom for our people have yet to materialize even in the 21st century. The American Justice System continues to fail her people of color, and the sweltering prisons on these shores are a constant reminder of the modern day captivity which many of our people continuously endure.  For thirty years now a man name Mumia Abu Jamal has been living in a 9 x 12 cage on Death Row in the Pennsylvania Correctional System for a crime that has been proven countless times that he obviously did not commit. His case is so disturbing that he has risen to international fame as the world’s most recognized Death Row inmate or “America’s Last Political Prisoner”. They say his crime was murder in the first degree of a white Police Officer in 1981, but the more conscious ones of us know that Mumia’s crime was his news reporting, and his affiliation with the “Black Panther Party” in his youth. Abu Jamal, an award winning journalist, was a fearless activist who championed the cause of the African American community during the height of racial tensions of the post Civil Rights Era in Philadelphis.  Mumia deemed an agitator, was very critical of Police Brutality enforced by a mobbed up Frank Rizzo Police Department. One night when crooked cops set out to murder one of their own (Officer Daniel Faulkner) who they believed to be a rat for the Feds, sieged the opportunity to pin the killing on Abu-Jamal. With the help of false testimony, evidence and witness tampering, and a sitting judge known to favor prosecution in criminal cases of blacks, Mumia was sent off to the gallows of Pennsylvania’s Death Row for over 30 years. Mumia’s fight for his life ended just a few days ago when Philly’s Uncle Tom DA, Seth Williams dropped the Death Sentence conviction of  Abu-Jamal in favor of Life In Prison after the Supreme Court’s ruling months earlier that declared Mumia’s Death Sentence Unconstitutional. Although his life has been spared, that victory is bitter sweet when considering his murder case file. Mumia has never had so much as a parking ticket prior to the frame up job that resulted in his murder conviction. However the Pennsylvania Criminal Justice System wants society to believe that Mumia suddenly decided to kill a Police Officer. His trial and subsequent conviction were so unfair, that millions across the globe have publicly demonstrated for 3 decades calling for his immediate release. Mumia has battled his conviction through constant appeal to our nation’s highest courts and the merits of many of his case’ appellate arguments mirror landmark cases that set precedent, but have never been afforded or applied to Abu-Jamal’s case. This blatant prejudice has been dubbed “The Mumia Exception”, and is symbolic of America’s Justice System desire to establish example for other black men who aspire to follow in his path. The challenges of Pennsylvania’s Justice System never deterred Abul-Jamal or the efforts of those who fought and cried to save his life in his case, and his ability to capture attention to his plight throughout the world is only shadowed by the wrongful incarceration of Nelson Mandela during the Aparthied era of South Africa. In the coming weeks as Mumia Abu-Jamal is removed from the 9 x 12 cell on Death Row, he will be able to see, embrace, and interact with is children for the first time in 30 years.  We most also realize that this is not the ending, but a new beginning in the battle to free an innocent man. We must ask ourselves if we could have endured his place for so long. Locked up in a cage for 23 hours a day for crimes that amount to nothing more then  his ideology. I for one know I could not have walked in his shoes. Free Mumia Abu-Jamal now!

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

In the past week after a heartfelt and chilling article was published here on “The People’s Champion Blog” highlighting a perspective about the murder of late Honor Student Phylicia Barnes by her mother, we have experienced a rare public emergence from members of the child’s Baltimore Family. In just under 8 days over 6,000 visitors have come to the Blog to either obtain updates about the murder case or chimed in with their own personal perspectives. Although there has been a minimal volume of followers who have expressed support for the Barnes’, there is a growing contingency within the public, and the social media arena that display a continued suspicion of the child’s older sisters account that led up to the disappearance and subsequent murder of Phylicia Barnes. With the Anniversary of Phylicia’s disappearance 3 weeks away there is a Public outcry for justice in this horrific case. Many followers are discouraged that an arrest has yet to be made in a Capitol Crime that resulted in the nude body of a promising and talented teen being discovered floating in a river in the State of Maryland. During the search for Phylicia the child’s Siblings gave a very disturbing interview on a Nationally recognized Social Media Affiliate, “Peas In Their Pods”radio broadcast on Blogtalk. I have listened to the broadcast multiple times, and myself along with others refuse to except the account offered by Phylicia’s Sisters Deena, and Kelly Barnes regarding the particulars that led up to Phylicia’s disappearance. Chiefly, I am outraged by the seemingly amused demeanor of Deena Barnes. Her laughter while responding to questions from the PITP host is unsettling, and depicts her apparent enjoyment of the  attention she was garnering in this Nationally Publicized case.  Her lack of grief was exacerbated with contradictory and unbelievable comments she made while recanting the events of December 28, 2010. Listeners can only walk away from that interview confused as to whether Phylicia was either awake or asleep prior to Deena leaving her home for work that day. Deena is in fact on record as having stated that Phylicia called Kelly that morning to come pick her up, that she and Phylicia were discussing going shopping for skin care products, and that Phylicia was asleep when she left for work. The confusing accounts leaves the door wide open to some theories that the studios child probably had already met a tragic end before December 28.  Deena paused awkwardly repeatedly when questions were posed to her about Micheal Johnson and his relatives that it has since been confirmed actually lived at her apartment. These questionable instances of pausing depicted an obvious loss of focus or bearing on her part, and leads many to believe that her responses were prompt-to and manufactured for the purpose of creating deception surrounding the truth. It has not been publicly established whether authorities investigating this murder case have in fact directed Deena Barnes to avoid commenting on certain elements of the case, but there were other aspects of the interview that the public suspicion has derived from. Deena has publicly stated that Micheal Johnson telephoned her after arriving back at the apartment late afternoon discovering the door wide open, music blasting inside, and Phylicia nowhere to be found. However during the PITP Interview, Deena stated that she arrived home at 6:00 p.m. from work and discovered that Phylicia wasn’t there and began calling around to people in an attempt to locate her whereabouts. Deena also says she called Micheal Johnson to see if Phylicia was with him.  Why would Deena do that considering her purported account that it was Micheal who notified her that Phylicia was missing, and why would Deena Believe that her baby sister would be with her supposed ex-boyfriend? I wonder which account is true. Was Deena advised via a phone call by Micheal Johnson regarding Phylicia’s disappearance or did she return home from work and discover the child missing? Both accounts are confusing and not logical. If Deena was informed by MJ that the apartment’s door was wide open and no Phylicia, then it is explosively unbelievable that Deena didn’t return home or have some one go their on her behalf to investigate the situation. Also, if Deena returned home at 6:00 p.m. as she alleges and discovered the child missing herself, it is even more alarming considering the fact that Deena and Kelly both say they lost contact with Philicia at around 11-11:30 a.m. over 6 hours earlier that day. Moreover, when Deena was questioned by PITP host regarding who reported that Phylicia had been seen walking to get food, she simply stated, “That’s what we were told” without identifying the person(s) who say they saw her. Deena never offered an explanation as to where they obtained that information. The cloudiness of this alleged eyewitness report actually gives tremendous credibility to the child’s mother Janice Sallis-Mustafa’s claim that the account was fabricated by her Daughter’s biological father, Russell Barnes. When Deena was questioned regarding allegations that she gave Phylicia, a minor, alcohol and pot, she denied doing so and stated that she requested a drug test and was awaiting the results. I had trouble understanding Deena’s thought process related to that question, because she wasn’t asked if she used drugs. Why was her response defending her own potential drug usage when the question was posed if she gave it to her baby sister? Why was Deena unavailable for the PITP Interview when the host opened the phone lines for direct questioning by the show’ listeners? Her absence became problematic when a caller rejected a response by Kelly and Bryan Barnes. The caller even stated, “Is Deena around to answer the question, because they (Kelly & Bryan) were not there”. It almost seemed as if it was planned prior to the show airing, that Deena would exit before the phone lines were opened, as the host stated, “Deena” like a cue for her to began making her exit comments prior to direct questions posed from the public.

Kelly Barnes and Deena Barnes half sisters of the late Phylicia Barnes

Kelly Barnes’ comments created suspicion when she was asked if she was at Deena’s apartment the night before Phylicia’s disappearance. December 27, 2010 was also reportedly have been a day when a party was given at Deena’s place. Kelly had previously stated that she was there with Deena and Phylicia baking cookies and watching movies on the 27th. When Kelly was pressed by a caller related to her account, Kelly changes her statement and said she was there on December 26. This almost certainly brings attention to what may have occurred the day before Phylicia was missing, and seems as if Kelly’s recant or memory loss about which day she was actually there, is an effort on her part to remove herself from involvement in what ever happened the day prior to Phylicia disappearing. The fact that Deena and Kelly both admit they last communicated with Phylicia during the late morning hours, that it has been confirmed that at least 1 male was at the apartment alone with Phylicia, and neither of them went by to physically check on their baby sister until Deena’s arrival home at 6:00 p.m. that day is tearfully troubling, sad, and simply legitimate grounds for suspicion of their potential implication and complicity to what ever happened to beautiful young Phylicia Barnes. Their accounts are not logical and their silence is a hindrance to the investigation into the murder of their baby sister. They both are hiding something and it’s obvious.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

In the wake of shocking and disturbing details related to the Phylicia Barnes Murder Case that were revealed by the late teen’s mother Janice Sallis, for the first time we see a sudden emergence from members of the child’s Baltimore family here on the TPC Blog. Bryan Barnes (brother) and Russell Barnes (biological father) have weighed in on the discussion surrounding the details that led up to the senseless murder of such a promising teen. I applaud Bryan’s effort for stepping up and at least giving his family a voice in the presence of direct attack against members of his immediate family. There has been virtual silence from Russell Barnes and his children in Social Media since Phylicia’s tragic ending. We know that grieving families often need time and their space to heal and overcome what must be a complete horrific ordeal. If there is any member of the Barnes family who should be so delegated to take the reigns as the family’s spokes person, baring an attorney of course, it should in fact be Bryan Barnes. I have listened to radio broadcast of him, his speaking on television, and he clearly appears to be the only family member with objectivity, transparency, and a demeanor of sincerity when discussing the events leading up to the killing of his beautiful baby sister. In all of the articles that I have read in Social Media or elsewhere, I have yet to come across a single story where by those following the case have directly implicated him in the murder of Phylicia Barnes. Moreover, I believe that Bryan himself has wrestled with comprehending the details that his siblings have personally conveyed publicly under questioning related to their actions and knowledge about this murder case. Bryan has been quoted in media reports to have in fact stated, “We don’t care who is responsible for killing Phylicia, we want justice, even if it’s a family member”. This comment speaks volumes about what many have already concluded, that he himself at the very least, at some point in this investigation has considered that members of his family may be directly responsible, involved, or intentionally hindering the criminal investigation into the murder of Phylicia Barnes. I tip my hat to Bryan for having the courage to express this publicly.  However, subtle inferences of the possible implication of his family in this crime is insufficient. I challenge Bryan  Barnes to revisit the particulars related to this tragic event, and reevaluate his own personal perspective about this case. With that being said, it is only appropriate that I address the off color comments of Russel Barnes. His comment, “Ya’ll are messing with the wrong family”, is very interesting as well as disturbing, and I wonder what such an ambiguous statement implies. Assuming that his comment is a direct result of his stated displeasure of Blogs, their post, and comments, I can’t help but wonder if there is a veiled consequence or threat entailed in his blog posting. Also, Russell Barnes posted,”I’m going to hold my peace and let God fight all of my battles”. That comment seemingly also has  an apparent veiled undertone. The term “battle” is extremely telling, and I’m wondering why Russell Barnes chose such a term, or why his obvious perception of conflict has derived from simply reading blog post entries. I’ll be realistic and admit there has been  some direct attacks against him and his daughters related to this murder case, but it’s only rhetoric. Considering the fact that Russell nor his children have responded to most of what followers of this case in the Social Media arena have expressed, and I find it interesting that his family emerges after Mrs. Janice Sallis-Mustafa aired the family’s dirty laundry publicly. I believe that some of the details Mrs. Mustafa conveyed were extremely hurtful and embarrassing for her to make public, but I also believe she felt obligated to set the record straight about her own conclusions related to what happened to her child, as well as some of her personal experiences, and history interacting with the Barnes Family. Not only that, but her personal resolution that untruths  were told to her resulting in allowing her precious daughter to visit the Barnes Family in Baltimore, and concluding with Phylicia being murdered, is an extremely compelling  argument when considering some of the gut wrenching details she expressed, like Russell Barnes’s rejection of her child, and drugs and alcohol being introduced to Phylicia. Therefore, it is very troubling that Russell Barnes would suddenly appear with a debut comment in social media making statements with a veiled inference to violence and conflict battles. Quite frankly, I personally don’t believe such an effort  displays any wisdom what so ever, especially when Russell Barnes and some of his children have suspicion lingering around them related to a violent Capitol Crime. In fact, I also believe that such comments ultimately validates what Mrs. Mustafa has already publicly expressed about the character of Russell Barnes. Now does this mean Russell and is kids are guilty, that what Janice Sallis-Mustafa shared publicly is accurate, and that the public will think any differently about this case? No! However, I must say that I heard the grief, pain, and distress in Janice’ voice when I spoke to her. Summarizing what the public already knows about this case, and the absence of any explicit rebuttal related to suspicions of criminal acts by Barnes Family members, or the alleged history of violence by Russell Barnes, creates a hell of a stigma for the entire Barnes Family to overcome related to what Mrs. Mustafa has personally expressed. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the comments by Russell Barnes were purposely expressed to convey intimidation toward those whom have spoken out with their opinions and venting their frustrations with the case’ slow progress, but I am convinced that such steam filled discourse by Russell Barnes only fuels a growing public sentiment that the Barnes Family may be complicit in the tragic ending of young Phylicia Barnes. The Statements made publicly by Deena and Kelly Barnes are contradictory and not logical. Also, they have yet to defend themselves from much of what Social Media and others from the public have expressed regarding this murder case. The lack of authentic grief on the part of Barnes Family members  is compelling, unsettling, and questionable comments by their father Russell Barnes perpetuates continued suspicion which is compounded by the silence of his daughters..

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

I was sitting in the den at home working on a Blog Post about the Phylicia Barnes Murder case when my cell phone rang. When I saw the number, from the State of Georgia, I knew instantly that the caller was Janice Sallis, the little girl’s mom. I had put a call out to her earlier on in the day and I was very anxious to have a long awaited chat with her about her daughter’s story. I was Unsure what to expect from a grieving mother nearly a year removed from the killing of her child, but upon speaking with Janice I was instantly placed at ease, as I was met with a warm, charming personality, and she displayed the typical spirit of southern decorum. As she spoke it was apparent that she also possessed depth, inner strength, with intelligence, dignity, and that she held  a God Fearing personification. I was in complete amazement of her ability to feverishly articulate the particulars surrounding the killing of Phylicia. She withered not, poignantly exclaiming her thoughts regarding the case, and I admittedly  wasn’t prepared for some of the gut wrenching details Janice shared with me regarding the life she experienced while raising Phylicia, only to loose her at the hands of heartless killer(s) that has changed the lives of her, and her family forever. Janice made it abundantly clear that she wanted to dispel rumors that have surfaced about the case and that much of it was spearheaded by the Barnes clan in Baltimore, chiefly Russell Barnes who is Phylicia’s biological father. She was extremely upset by articles and Blog post from individuals calling her immature, saying that she needed to grow up, and come together with Russell Barnes to find Phylicia’s killer(s). I learned that such a effort would never occur and rightfully so, based on what she shared with me. Janice has consistently expressed outright disdain for her daughter’s father or sperm donor as she calls him. He has been absent from Phylicia’s life for at least 8 years prior to her death and his obvious lack of grief regarding Phylicia’s passing has been confirmed to have derived from his rejection of the child, beginning as far back when he first learned Janice was pregnant with Phylicia. Janice described Russell Barnes as violent, uncaring, self absorbed, and quite capable of aiding the killers in murdering Phylicia as well as conspiring to dispose of his own daughter’s body. This is something that I eluded to unknowingly in a previous blog post. Janice talked about the domestic violence that she endured at the hands of Russell during and after her pregnancy of Phylicia. She conveyed his complete displeasure of her pregnancy and believes that he was so desperate to terminate her pregnancy, that he beat her in an attempt to cause her to have a miscarriage. In fact Janice revealed that Russell Barnes divorced her because she refused to “get rid” of her baby. Janice explicitly recalled one episode of abuse when Russell woke her during the early morning hours and began to drag her throughout the house,only because she wasn’t speaking coherently after being abruptly awaken. She said that he only stopped the abuse upon her mother awakening and rebuffing Russell, and reminding him that she had just recently given birth to their daughter Phylicia. Not just that though, on the day that Janice actually delivered her pretty little baby, Russell Barnes didn’t find it necessary for him to be at the hospital during the birth of his child. He did arrive hours later, stayed a few minutes, and left. To make it plain and simple, according to Janice Sallis, Russell Barnes made her life a living hell solely because he didn’t want Phylicia. As the years went by Janice would meet a man I will refer to here as brother Mustafa, who would eventually wed her, and began to make a dynamic impact on her family as well as her kids from a previous marriage. Even during this time frame Russell Barnes was absent from Phylicia’s life, appearing sparingly to bitch about child support. When a young tot Phylicia asked for her father, brother Mustafa called Russell and informed him that his daughter had been asking for him. Russell offered the excuse that he did not have transportation, but Mustafa advise him that if he simply gave his address that he would bring his pretty little daughter to see him. Janice said Russell Barnes never returned their call to make arrangements to have his child brought to visit him.  Janice says that when it was time for her to go back to school and finish her nursing education Mustafa was her rock looking after the kids. This allowed Phylicia and Janice’s older daughter Shauntel Sallis the opportunity to bond with their step dad, who cared for and provided for them. He taught Phylica everything. Janice chuckled as she bragged about the fact that Phylicia could put bait on a fishing rod and other activities that Mustafa engaged the children in. To say the least, brother Mustafa was very much Dad at their home. During Phylicia’s Teen years she obtained a job as a counselor, mentoring to her peers and younger students at her school, Union Academy. It was because of her ambitions and having the astuteness to be employed even at her young age, that allowed her to help her parents purchase  her first car (Mercury Mountaineer). Janice put out a call to Russell Barnes and asked that he simply purchase 1 tire for Phylicia’s truck, and he just simply displayed the usual demeanor bitching about child support. Janice said that he told her that he would go through child support to help pay for the tire. Needless to say he did nothing. Janice also explained that her anger directed towards Russell isn’t from what he did to her, his character, or his dead beat dad history, but because when the story first broke about Phylicia’s disappearance, Russell tried to grab the reigns and past himself off as the loving caring dad, when in fact it should have been Mustafa on Nancy Grace, taking and fielding questions from the Police and the media, not Russell Barnes. Janice also points out that Russell Barnes has been a complete distraction, if not a hindrance in the investigation into the murder of Phylicia Barnes. Some of the key points or rumors I should say, that have become widely known as facts related to the case, were in fact fabricated lies manufactured, not by Deena, Micheal Johnson, or Kelly, but by Russell Barnes himself. I will exploit those details later in this post. In the wake of Phylicia’s death it became abundantly clear immediately that Phylicia Barnes was no ordinary 16 year old. Her school classmates loved her dearly, and Janice explains that it was the child’s loving, compassionate, and caring personality that drew most people to Phylicia. Janice prided herself on the fact that her daughter wasn’t confrontational and she never witnessed the child engaged in any kind of argument what so ever. She says Phylicia would defuse tense situations, by jokingly saying you go sit down. Phylicia was also extremely talented in many facets of the arts as well as academics. Janice describes her late daughter as near genius. Many might venture to say that all mothers say and believe this about their kids, but Phylicia had the grades to prove it, and was scheduled to leave high school a year early to pursue a degree in Child Pyschology. Also, Phylicia had tremendous social interaction skills. Janice said her daughter was able to blend in with the diverse ethnic student body at Union Academy. Phylicia hung out with white, black, and kids from various ethnic backgrounds, a personal trait that allowed the studious child to excel at school. Much of what Janice told me about her daughter, I already knew from my investigation of her case and news articles I read about Phylicia. I didn’t take rocket science to see that she was a standout amongst her peers. But why so much focus on Russell Barnes, some may ask? It is extremely important for Janice Sallis that the public get a complete picture of the true character of Phylicia’s Biological Father who has been making some false comments in the media, and conducting himself in an outright idiotic fashion. Let’s revisit some of the fabricated lies that Janice says Russell Barnes Manufactured:

1. When media reports broke that a young Phylicia Barnes was last seen walking to get some food, that account didn’t come from Micheal Johnson as the public has been led to believe. That account was created by Russell Barnes, a fact that Janice Sallis believes was created to shield Deena Barnes from potential suspicion in the disappearance of her little sister. Janice points out that Russell stated to a news agency that, “Phylicia came to live at my house and left my home to go get something to eat”. That sounds plausible if Phylicia and Russell both were actually staying at Deena’s place, or somewhere else in Baltimore, but there is one problem, Russell Barnes lived in Atlanta, Georgia when Phylicia went missing. So why did Russell create such a diversion that was crucial during the initial hours of Phylicia’s disappearance? This lie led the police to believe she would be coming back relatively soon and lessoned the sense of urgency to search for the child.

2. In Mimi’s blog post over at Opal Fusion Mag, she posed the rhetorical question, “Who told Mcheal Johnson to stay away”. Janice Sallis reveals that Russell Barnes actually told MJ to stay away, and offered the rationalization that he was afraid that he might kill him. However, during the Blog Talk Interview, Deena and Kelly Barnes painted the picture as if MJ just mysteriously disappeared while they made repeated attempts to contact him, only for him to suddenly reappear during the early morning hours. It seems as if they were creating an argument that his unexplained unavailability was  ample time for him to have the opportunity to dispose of Phylicia’s body. Janice was confused as to why Russell would do that. You would think since Micheal was the last person to see Phylicia, common sense should have kicked in that he needed to  be available if for no other purpose but to talk to the cops. Besides Janice said she wanted to speak with him and look him in his eyes when she spoke to him about her daughter. Russell’s request for MJ to disappear is very suspicious to say the least.

3. Russell Barnes has been saying that he was in the streets looking for his daughter, and even that was a lie. When Janice and Mustafa arrived in Baltimore December 30, 2010. They were combing the streets of Baltimore in some of the roughest parts of town looking for Phylicia. Janice says they encountered two small kids who say they saw a girl that fit Phylicia’s description accompanied by an older guy. The kids say she appeared to be “drugged up” and scared. Janice and Mustafa calls Russell and tried to convince him to meet them on Belvedere Avenue where they were with those kids, and Russell made the excuse that the neighborhood they were in was Bloods Gang turf, and he needed to contact a Bloods Leader to escort him there. I was completely floored when she told me this. In fact I think I fell just short of calling Russell Barnes a fucking coward. Janice said later she learned that they were having a re-pass like affair at Deena’s place with family, friends, and food as if they already knew that Phylicia was dead. They all sat around laughing, kidding, and joking as if there wasn’t a care in the world. The cops dismissed the allege sighting of Phylicia  by the youth, because one of them stated she was wearing shorts and it was winter with snow on the ground. Well in my mind, if Phylicia was hustled out of Deena’s apartment by someone, that account by the kids wasn’t too far fetched. The child could have actually just simply been wearing shorts at the time. Janice’s account of this incident is upsetting, and could have been a potentially missed opportunity to find the child, and was completely botched by the cop they reported it too. The Officer never even filed a Police Report about this incident.

4. Janice said that Russell Barnes also made false statements to the police also about Phylicia’s disappearance, but I will not elaborate on that in fear of potentially jeopardizing the investigation into the child’s murder. Janice Sallis also cleared up some confusion surrounding the so called Barnes Family members that were supposedly so concerned about young Phylicia during the time that searches were being conducted to locate her. Phylicia is only related to Russell Barnes, Russell’s  half brother (Sgt. Jackson), Deena, Kelly, and Bryan Barnes. The others, including so called uncle Harry Watson and his daughter are not blood related to Phylicia or even Russell Barnes for that matter. Janice says that Russell was adopted at age 2. Hell he isn’t even a Barnes himself. This might explain the complete lack of grief. It does seem to justify the hollow public posture that Russell Barnes  has maintained which troubles many who have followed this case. Janice indicated that Russell’s abandonment as a child enables him to hold an emotional detachment from his biological family. I am glad Janice had the courage to share her heartfelt story with the public and exposing Russell Barnes for the fraud that he is. Janice admits she became extremely angry after she learned a little over a month ago that Russell marched onto Union Academy’s school grounds unannounced with news media in an attempt to continue his fake display of concern about what happen to Phylicia. Janice says he was supposedly trying to see what the school was like where his daughter attended and meet her friends. Well news flash Russell, Phylicia has been deceased nearly a year now, and her friends have since graduated and no longer attend Union. Russell Barnes had never visited Union Academy the entire time that Phylicia was enrolled there. So why go to the school after all this time? Janice stated that it’s this deranged and idiotic behavior by Russell Barnes that sends a negative and false perception to the media and the public. It’s sickening now, after we’ve learned that he never wanted pretty Phylicia Simone Barnes and clearly demonstrates his possible culpability in the conspiracy to cover up the murder of his own child. Russell if you are reading this I have some advice for you, stay out of the media because you have been exposed. If you truly want to aid in solving Phylicia’s murder, then you should demand your other kids and members of your adoptive family come clean and fest up about what actually went down regarding Phylicia’s killing. I think that it’s safe to say that you all are implicated now.

The late Phylicia Simone Barnes

Deena’s Place

Most readers probably have already listened to the Blog Talk Interview on “Peas In Their Pods” radio, and recall the confusion surrounding who was actually there the day young Phylicia went missing. Deena literally stumbled over her tongue and paused very awkwardly multiple times when questioned about some of these details. She reluctantly admitted that a younger cousin/brother also stayed at the apartment with her. Janice revealed that 3 males in fact stayed at her apartment. They were Micheal Johnson, his younger brothers 19 year old “Bootz”, and 16 year old Dulaney. Also, the day before Phylicia disappeared they had another party and another adult male cousin of Micheal Johnson had stayed the night, and probably because he was too high to go home. So the picture is much clearer now that we realize in fact 4 males may have been at Deena’s apartment on this fateful day. Janice was devastated to learn that three males were staying at the apartment after she had been assured by Deena Barnes that only she and Phylicia would be there prior to the child’s December 17, 2010 arrival in Baltimore. This revelation also clears up the mystery as to who the 4 males were that Federal Investigators had obtained Search Warrants of Social Media, and Email Accounts for. When Janice and her husband Mustafa arrived in Baltimore following her having been notified that Phylicia was missing, she cornered Deena Barnes and challenged her about some of the activities she had learned Deena allowed Phylicia to engage in while staying with her. What Deena Barnes didn’t know was that, one of Phylicia’s friends, another minor (13-14 years old) had poured her heart out, crying, telling Janice, and Mustafa that Phylicia’s older Sister had allowed her to drink vodka and smoke pot while she was staying in Baltimore on previous trips to visit her family there. Janice described the child as distraught fearing that something may have happened to Phylicia, and felt guilty that she didn’t tell her what Phylicia shared with her. Janice armed with this information, apparently caught Deena off guard as she replied to Janice, “she only took a few puffs”, referring to Phylicia being introduced to smoking marijuana. Russell Barnes who was also present during this exchange between the two women replied, “Well when I was 15 my uncle gave me pot”. Janice states that she rebuffed Russell and said, “I don’t give a damn what your uncle gave you. This is my daughter”. Deena has since denied exposing Phylicia to alcohol and marijuana to the police , and the media. Deena also denied this during the BTI. Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of Phylicia’s disappearance is that the Baltimore City Police took 5 days before they treated Phylicia’s case seriously. This can only be attributed to the lie Russell Barnes started about Phylicia having been seen walking to get food. This was also ample enough time for Micheal Johnson, Deena, and the other males living at that apartment to clean up the place and possibly destroy crucial forensic evidence. This was a tearful and saddening element of the case which created another missed opportunity by police to obtain crucial information surrounding the disappearance of Phylicia Barnes.

The Investigation

Young Phylia Barnes in an extremely rare photo with her biological father and half siblings. from Left to right: Phylicia, Deena Barnes, unnone unrelaed child, Bryan Barnes, Russel Barnes, and Kelly Barnes.

Now that we know who some of  the key people are that were either visiting or staying at Deena Barnes’ apartment, it must be made clear to everyone concerned about what happened to Phylica Barnes, that there are some troubling factors in the case that may have aided in hindering the investigation of the child’s murder. Janice Sallis points out  that the slow movement by police in the initial phase of this investigation was paramount, primarily because there were lies told to cops by those closest to Phylicia in Baltimore. What many maybe unaware of is that Russell Barnes has a brother who is a ranking Police Officer, and that the younger cousin of Micheal Johnson who stayed overnight after the party the day prior to Phylicia’s disappearance, mother is in fact a Baltimore City Police Detective. This could simply be a mere coincidence, but Janice and I discussed the culture of law enforcement and their silent code to protect their own. I have been bloging for some time now that the individuals under suspicion in this case, more than likely obtained help from expert sources considering the life style that many of them engage in, and after viewing their Social Media pages on Facebook and Myspace (into rap music and posing in pictures with guns), and the drug usage that has been alleged to have occurred at Deena’s place. I am confident that the males related to this case lack the aptitude to cover their tracks so thoroughly in such a complexing murder case without the assistance of parties with knowledge regarding what exactly cops  would look for in a criminal case of this nature. It could very well be that police were procrastinating during the initial phase of this investigation because fellow law enforcement personnel are related to potential suspects in this case, but either way, the fact that there are cops whom hold such close ties to the very people who were physically at the apartment the day Phylicia went missing is an alarming and disturbing element of this entire ordeal that can not be ignored. Janice and I both agree that fortunately this case is now in the hands of the Maryland State Police, an agency with an impeccable reputation of professionalism in criminal investigations of this magnitude. Janice has continuously displayed her gratitude to investigators currently working Phylicia’s murder case, sighting that they are in contact with her on a regular basis with details of the case’ progress. Janice did point out that she believes that the Police affiliation of Russell Barnes and the Johnson families does pose a degree of concern for her related to the State Police’s ability to unravel the mystery of who killed her daughter.

A Mother’s Intuition

Janice Salli-Mustafa, mother of the late Phylicia Barnes.

On December 28, 2010 Janice Sallis said she had an awful and sickening feeling in her stomach, but didn’t know where it was coming from. She said that she called Phylicia’s cell phone in the hopes that her bubbly well spirited daughter could cheer her up. Unfortunately, Phylicia never did answer her calls, so she contacted Deena Barnes and asked her “where is she”. Janice says that Deena stated, ” I was just about to call you. We can’t find her. The Police is here now”.  At that moment Janice exclaimed, “what do you mean you can’t find her”. She asked to speak to the police officer who was there. The cop attempted to put Janice at ease and told her don’t worry, she will be walking in the door any time now. Janice begged the officer to go out and look for her daughter and told him the first 48 hours are very crucial. The officer told Pylicia’s mother that, “you watch too much T.V.”. I am not shocked by such a comment from a supposedly trained professional given the caliber of some cops employed by the Baltimore Police, but what an insensitive thing to say to a parent who is concerned for the safety of her child? Janice told me that the 4 month long drawn out search for Phylicia had began to take it’s toll own her, and she was filled with so much grief and sadness, that she prayed to God and told him that she could no longer endure thoughts about what Phylicia may have been going through, if she was being abused, sexually molested, or held in captivity somewhere against her will, and she asked God to bring her baby home. Her prayers were answered just 5 hours later when she got the call that Phylicia’s body had been found floating in the Susquehanna River in Maryland. I asked Janice during my interview with her what she believed happened to young Phylicia. Janice admitted she had all sorts of horrible thoughts of what could have happened to her daughter as any parent would understandably experience. Janice said that the drugs and alcohol could have caused Phylicia to have some sort of reaction that may have caused her death, that she could have died from alcohol poisoning, or died in her sleep. She said Deena and MJ could have panicked and simply disposed of the child’s body instead of reporting it to the authorities or seeking medical care for Phylicia out of fear of being charged with a crime . Janice also believes that Deena and MJ both have such shady characters that she believe they have dirt on each other that could result in criminal prosecution, and that anything is possible to have occurred with Phylicia under their watch. Janice also conveyed to me that she believes the volume of young males in and out of Deena’s apartment wasn’t without purpose. She believes that they were dealing in drugs. This statement raised a red flag for me, as I recalled a strange Facebook post that Micheal Johnson made during the early stage of the investigation. Micheal posted that Deena should tell Phylicia’s mother what was going on at the apartment, a post that was mysteriously deleted a short time later. Janice talked about the party that was held at the apartment the night before, and she said she was told that, the MJ relative (cousin) who had stayed the night had been up with Phylicia until about 4.a.m. Janice said she knows her daughter and if she was up that late, that Phylicia wasn’t getting up until around 2:00 p.m. or so, but also admitted that if Phylicia was going to a hair appointment, her daughter would have been up getting ready in anticipation of Kelly picking her up. Janice said Phylicia was like most southern females and very meticulous about her appearance especially her hair. Phylicia would have made that hair appointment regardless of how late she was up. Janice also confirmed something that Deena said during the BTI. Deena said on the “Peas In Their Pods” radio broadcast that Micheal Johnson had arrived at the apartment around 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 28 to pick up a younger cousin. Janice said MJ did in fact pick the relative up to take him to his grandmother’s home, because he wasn’t supposed to be their with Phylicia, but Janice believes that MJ wanted to be at the apartment with Phylicia alone himself. She believes that Phylicia may have in fact been sleeping on the sofa as reported at that time, but upon MJ’s return to the apartment a young beautiful Phylicia Barnes may have been exposed indecently in preparation to get dressed for her hair appointment, and more than likely subdued from a possible late night drug and alcohol  fueled party the night before, extremely vulnerable, and was probably pounced on by Micheal Johnson. An attack which seems plausible considering the child was alone and possibly suffering from a night of drug abuse condoned and instituted by Deena and MJ’s clan. Janice also hasn’t ruled out a scenario that Phylicia may have been purposefully lured to Baltimore by Deena Barnes for the purpose of offering the pretty teen as a sacrifice to sex crazed drug dealers to settle a financial debt. Janice and I talked about the apparent eagerness of Deena wanting Phylicia to come to Baltimore this particular occasion, a trip in which Deena personally paid for Phylicia’s plane ticket. The F.B.I’s introduction of the Child Porn element of the case along with the pornographic images of a minor obtained during the investigation can only serve to fuel the mother’s perspective related to this scenario. Janice shared with me in explicit and convincing detail that a beautiful Phylicia Barnes would never willingly take off her clothes for anyone, more importantly adult males. Her mom says Phylicia was so modest about her body that she even felt uncomfortable if Janice herself walked into the room while the child was changing her clothes. Janice said Phlicia would say, “Mommie I don’t have any clothes on”. Janice believes that if any of the alleged pornographic images that the authorities have obtained in this case are in fact of her daughter, that Phylicia Simone Barnes either was forced to pose nude , completely incoherent, or she was  unabbreviated. It is heartbreaking to think that this promising young child’s dignity was stripped from her in this fashion.

Other Rumors Dispelled

On many of the Blogs and Social Media Sites that I have read, like Facebook, and Myspace related too this case, I have encountered postings related to Janice Sallis’ oldest daughter Shauntel Sallis reportedly having made  completely absurd comments that Janice is directly responsible for the death of her daughter. Janice revealed to me that her daughter is troubled, and has been since her youth. Shauntel now an adult is also the mother of a child of  New York based Rapper “Frenchie”. Janice states that the pair have a beautiful 5 year old son. Janice points out that like most troubled youth, Shauntel had issues with authority, was extremely disrespectful, and added that on one occasion at age 17, her daughter displayed her index finger to her younger 7 year old brother, and cursed the child out. Janice said that Shauntel was a very negative influence on her younger children, and even caused Phylicia’s attitude to change somewhat towards there step father Mustafa. Janice wanted Phylicia to interact with older siblings that could be a better role model for her, and is the main reason that she wanted Phylicia to get to know the other siblings in her family. She admits that she was lied to and fed fabrications, by a deceitful and sick monster in Deena Barnes. Janice also said that Shauntel is in fact friends with Russell Barnes’ kids, Deena, Kelly, and Bryan. She believes that Shauntel’s bi-polar like behavior is mostly responsible for much of the troubling statements that her daughter has posted on Social Media. Janice is lost understanding the manner in which her daughter interacts with her, by calling her the B word and using other explicits toward her mother, though Janice admits that she would die for Shauntel if necessary despite her continued disrespect toward her. Janice remains concerned for Shauntel’s troubles even now with this sort of continued behavior in her adulthood, but for now at this very critical period in her family’s lives she cannot tolerate the disrespect even if her daughter is facing mental issues. It is Janice’s hope by expressing this publicly that Shauntel’s comments and inappropriate behavior will be met with the understanding that her daughter, who she loves dearly is facing challenges in her life.

In conclusion, I must say that as a writer I have encountered few stories that are both as compelling and empowering as the one that Janice Sallis has shared with us all. I am deeply moved, humbled, and honored to have been afforded the opportunity to express the perspective of this mother related to the Murder of her loving daughter. I am sure the details of her account will in fact move many, but I can assure you that the spirit of this woman, Janice Sallis, is unconquered by those heartless souls who took Phylicia Simone Barnes from her and her family’s lives. Her enduring strength coupled with her love and fear of God in the face of the most tragic experience that any parent could ever imagine, is a how to guide on perseverance for us all. Although mother Sallis expressed to me that they day they killed Phylicia, they also killed her, I am confident she will be redeemed, and we must pray that Mr. & Mrs. Mustafa along with their remaining children can find the courage to continue on. Justice for Phylicia Simone Barnes must prevail and for her family.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

As the anniversary of the killing of young Monroe, N.C. Honor Student Phylicia Barnes approaches, I will move full steam ahead in analyzing particular facts in the case that jump out at most of us who have followed the little girl’s tragic story. However, I should point out the fact that I am not an actual investigator of this murder case, but simply a trained journalist whom like many are concerned and want desperately for the monsters who brought upon the demise of such a promising  child. Also, my comments here have derived primarily from comments made by the older Barnes Female siblings of Phylicia, News Reports, and basic common sense which I will utilize in an attempt to paint a clear picture surrounding this entire murder mystery. Here are my thoughts:

Deena Barnes

I am troubled by the fact that a trained professional who works as a Pharmacy Tech, around control substances on a daily basis, and I am sure has been properly trained in the effects of drug abuse would condone and supply alcohol and marijuana to a minor child let alone a child who just so happens to be her baby sister. I am not nieve about this as I am well aware that substance abuse is common place in American Culture and no one is immune from the ills of one of society’s more prominent epidemics. It’s difficult to rationalize what Deena’s intent was giving a silly, fun loving, studious, and very green to Baltimore culture Phylicia Barnes pot and vodka. The child’s mother, Janice Sallis states that Deena downplayed the sickening behavior, and said “I wanted her to loosen up”. Loosen up? For what? I am surprised that authorities have not brought charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor against Deena. The fact that she introduced control substance to her  sister establishes the extent of her character which indicates that she is capable of anything. Her alleged estranged relationship with Micheal Johnson, if you even feed into that claim, is extremely problematic for a number of reasons. During the Blog Talk Interview on “Peas In Their Pods” radio, Deena stated that MJ was in the process of moving out of the apartment on a regular basis since early 2010 (January). I don’t think I need to remind readers that Phylicia went missing just after Christmas 2010. Why was there such a prolonged move after their alleged breakup? I won’t kid myself to think that couples never attempt to patch things up, but 10 months is a long time for MJ to get his belongings out of the house. Why did he still have a key to the place? I think it’s obvious where I am going with this. With MJ coming and going, I am sure that entailed his baggage i.e. “Bootz” (younger cousin), other family, and friends. In fact it was established during the BTI that Bootz actually stayed at Deena’s apartment also. If you listen to the BTI you will hear Deena’s awkward pauses when questioned regarding many of these facts. She was very hesitant to even give the age of the other male (Bootz) that was living in here apartment. The reports that an entourage of young males were coming and going all the time at the apartment should cast even more interest on what Deena was thinking when she offered substances to Phylicia. Why would she purposefully aid in reducing the child’s falculties in the midst of thugged out wannabe gangsters. I’m not picking on the MJ’s clan here, it’s just that I have seen their pictures on Myspace and Facebook, and it is what it is. Young Phylicia was reportedly to have told an older sibling that a male made a pass at her which she rejected. Did Deena not think that those guys would attempt to come on to her pretty little sister? Why didn’t she protect her? At the very site of any of the guys approaching Phylicia inappropriately, Deena should have stepped in and made it clear that her baby sister was hands off, and if she couldn’t control the situation she should have called her brother, male family, or she should have taken Phylicia to Kelly’s place at the very least. Even if Phylicia was to afraid to tell Deena what guys were up to, Deena should have had her radar up from the gate. Phylicia is a child and it was Deena Barnes’ obligation to protect her. I even question why Deena was so eager to have Phylicia come to Baltimore this trip (Deena paid for Phylicia’s flight). I perused Phylicia’s Myspace page and I observed that one of the younger relatives of MJ had apparently already met her on a previous trip to Baltimore. In a Myspace exchange he was encouraging Phylicia to come and go to school in Baltimore. So, I wonder if Deena was pressured to get Phylicia back to Baltimore by MJ’s clan.

Pornography Claims

Sometime after Phylicia’s body was found, the authorities investigating her murder became suspicious about some of what they were told during the initial investigation, and began to focus on nude images of at least one minor. The discovery led to Federal Search Warrants being issued for Social Media and Email Accounts of Micheal Johnson, his cousin Bootz, Mjs younger brother, and another unidentified male. Though rumors have spread that those nude or pornographic images and a cell phone video cops found were in fact of young Phylicia, there is nothing that substantiates that the pretty little girl took her clothes off for adult males. Those claims were manufactured by the public. If these facts do eventually bare any confirmation what so ever, it only generates even more interest in what activities Deena Barnes was allowing her baby sister to engage in under her care. Was Phylicia completely incoherent that someone took advantage of  her, removed her clothes, and took nude pictures and videoed her? Why on God’s earth would Deena allow this or become so unaware of Phylicia’s activities at the apartment? 

Deena had been taking young Phylicia with her to work everyday except the day that Phylicia went missing. I don’t think that it is unusual to take a younger relative on the job, especially if it is condoned by an employer, but everyday becomes an issue I am sure. What activities were young Phylicia engaging in while Deena was filling prescription at her Pharmacy Job? Why wasn’t the child allowed o go with her on the day that she disappeared? There is a strong possibility that Phylicia may not have been physically capable of going to work with Deena, and she may have even been killed prior to the day her sisters alleged she went missing.  My argument here is not a stretch, it’s just that the facts related to Deena and Kelly’s manner of interacting with Phylicia on Dec 28, the fact that no one saw it important enough to go by the apartment to physically check on Phylicia even when it was known that male(s) were there with her, the lost of contact via texting or phone calls, and the lack of urgency when Mj purportedly sounded the alarm that the apartment door was wide open and no Phylicia, it simply opens the door to serious speculation whether that kid was even alive prior to the day they said she disappeared. During the BTI kelly, Deena, and Bryan Barnes stated that Phylicia didn’t know anyone other then her siblings in Baltimore. This simply isn’t true. I have already mentioned the myspace exchange where a relative of MJ was encouraging Phylicia to come to Baltimore and attend school. As it turs out, that relative was actually “Bootz” who just so happened to be staying at Deena’s place. Why hasn’t he been mentioned more in this scheme of suspects in this murder? He was there and he probably knows something. When it’s all said and done, Deena Barnes must stake claim to majority of the failures that she herself is directly responsible for in the unsettling, horrific, and senseless tragedy that resulted in the untimely demise of such a beautiful little girl.

To be Continued —

“To Catch A Killer”, a series leading up to the December 28 Anniversary of the Disappearance and killing of Phylicia Barnes.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

The late Phylicia Barnes Memorialized

There are posters still hanging on light poles in the upper Park Heights section of Northwest Baltimore, seeking the public’s help in locating 16 year old Honor Student Phylicia Barnes, who went missing December 28, 2010 while visiting family in Baltimore over the Christmas Holiday, and many may have forgotten about the little girl’s story. The signs that remain with her fading image after nearly a year later,  is a reminder of the yet unsolved murder of a bright promising pretty teenage girl whose story captivated a nation, and depicts the  desperation the child’s mother and family experienced during a 41/2 month mystery and  search for her that ended with Phylicia’s nude body being discovered floating in a river 40 miles away from where she was staying with her half-sister. Since the authorities pulled the child’s body from the chilly waters of the Susquehanna River, few details have emerged indicating what Police have discovered about what happened to young Phylicia. There have been a variant of opinions, rumors, and theories regarding how the studious kid may have come to such a traggic ending, but the lack of information released to the public regardign the case’ progress has fueled concerns, and outrage from the public who have become doubtful that the murder will ever be solved. For many, the concerns are related to no arrest having been made in this murder case steming from obvious inconsistencies in the stories of those who were closes to the child. As an experienced investigator I know that sometimes people tell lies regarding crime for a variety of reasons, but that far to often the untruths are not enough to mount charges of criminal wrong doing, nor is it iron clad that the individual is actually responsible for committing a crime. However, in the Barnes case there are indeed some extremely alarming facts that can not be ignored. Beside the revelation that Deena allowed the nieve teen to drink vodka and smoke marijuana, there were other abnormal activities occurring at the apartment that were even shocking to Phylicia’s Mother, Janice Sallis. It was later revealed that Phylicia had confided in an older sibling regarding high traffic in and out of Deena’s place, and that an unspecified male had made a pass at her which she rejected. Alcohol, drugs, and a steady flow of young men coming and going constantly were a recipe for trouble from the very sart when we consider the vulnerability of a book smart kid from the rural south. The entire scenario surrounding the culture at Deena’s Northwest Baltimore apartment was extremely telling regarding what may have happened to Phylicia, but as details about the case emerged a growing cloud of suspicion developed toward the child’s sisters and others who were at the apartment that day. Let’s examine and revisit some of  the details:

1. Deena Barnes (Phylicia’s half-sister) had been taking Phylicia to work with her everyday except the day that Phylicia went missing. This isn’t fabrication or assumption. Deena Barnes verified this during the Blog Talk interview, and a fact that has caused many to suspect that something may have happened to Phylicia prior to December 28, which could also directly implicate Deena Barnes herself. Also, why was there a need for Deena to take Phylicia with her to work everyday? This demonstrates that even Deena herself had concern for Phylicia’s safety, and that something wasn’t right at her apartment. The fact that the only day Deena doesn’t take Phylicia to work with her results in the child’s disappearance is extremely troubling.

2. Kelly Barnes (other half-sister) was scheduled to get off of work the day Phylicia went missing between 12-12:30 p.m. and was suppose to pick young Phylicia up to go shopping for beauty supplies and go to a hair appointment. Kelly never goes by to check on Phylicia (lives blocks away from Deena’s place) after calling several times with unsuccessful attempts to contact the child. Moreover, there has been unconfirmed allegations that Kelly never even went to work that day and if  this is in fact true, I’m wondering why authorities haven’t vigorously pursued confirmation as to where Kelly was that day or why she lied about being on the job.

3. According to the older two half -sisters Deena and Kelly Barnes (comments made during BT Interview) neither of them actually spoke with Phylicia December 28. However, Deena made contradictory statements during the BTI. She initially said Phylicia was asleep prior to her departure for work, then she states she and Phylicia were discussing plans for later on that day before she left the apartment. Also, the laughter, whispering, and other odd behavior while giving an interview on a Nationally recognized Internet Social Media affiliate (“Peas In Their Pod”) about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of their baby sister, made it extremely difficult for listeners to validate much of what the two women said occurred the day Phylicia disappeared. The women collectively admitted that they had only exchanged text messages with Phylicia, a troubling element of this entire ordeal that has caused suspicion upon the truthfulness of their account and question the women’s judgement.

4. Micheal Johnson, the purported ex-boyfriend of Deena Barnes that she alleges an estranged relationship with, that supposedly was in the process of moving out of the apartment after a breakup with her  on an ongoing basis since January 2010, who strangely still had a key to the apartment, and reportedly the last person to see young Phylicia alive, contacted Deena at work to advise her that he was there to do laundry. Deena alleges that MJ told her that Phylicia was asleep on the sofa. Awkwardly. Deena also states during the BTI that MJ was there to pickup a younger brother/cousin. Deena obviously had trouble conveying accuracy of her memory during this very crucial time frame leading up to the child’s disappearance. More importantly though, after it was revealed that not 1, 2, but possibly 3 men may have in fact been at the apartment along with Phylicia, Deena never offers explanation of any kind as to what action she took to insure Phylicia’s safety. Deena simply excepts MJ’s report that the young child was asleep as reliable. It’s disturbing that a grown woman lacked the basic instinct that women innately manifest to personally confirm the whereabouts or safety of a young female child when she is in the company of multiple males alone who are unrelated to her.

5. After Kelly Barnes’ failed attempts to reach Phylicia by phone and her unexplained reasons for simply not going over to Deena’s apartment to physically check on Phylicia, she contacts Deena (Kelly BTI account) to see if she had picked Phylicia up. Deena advised Kelly that MJ said she was asleep, and these two women simply resolve to let her sleep. Later on that day the text messages ceased between the two woman and Phylicia, but they assumed she was sill asleep and nobody went to check on her. This is suspicious, irresponsible, and frankly speaking, not a very convincing  rationalization to account for their actions or lack there of on the day that their beautiful baby sister just vanished in thin air.

6. MJ returns to Deena’s apartment late afternoon on December 28 and discovers the door to Deena’s apartment wide open, music blasting inside, and Phylicia no where to be found. This is where the complete picture gets very cloudy. It’s unconfirmed , at least publicly, where the account that Phylicia was seen walking to get food derived from, or the account that she may have met up with friends and simply wondered off. Assuming that this is another rationalization that MJ offered to Deena regarding Phylicia’s disappearance, it speaks volumes about Deena’s alleged estrange relationship with MJ. Why is he deemed to be so credible by Deena related to her kid sister? Why was there apparently an obvious lack of urgency on Deena Barnes’ part in the initial stage of Phylicia’s disappearance? To drive this point even further, Deena did not leave work to at least insure the security of her home, and if for no other reason to obtain explanation from Phylicia why the place was left open? If Deena couldn’t leave work, why wasn’t Kelly Barnes (lives blocks away) contacted and asked to go by the apartment to investigate what was going on? Unbelievably, neither of these two women went by the apartment, and Deena arrived nearly 2 hours later. It’s unconscionable that they lacked any since of urgency what so ever, a fact that tends to add credibility to the something may have happened to Phylicia prior to Dec. 28 theory, and exposes Deena and Kelly Barnes’ possible complicity in this entire senseless tragedy.

7. The lack of unauthentic grief in the face of the murder of a loved one by Phylicia’s Baltimore family only highlighted and fueled a growing public sentiment that the truth about what happened to Phylicia had yet to be told. Russel Barnes Phylicia’s father remained composed during the discovery of his daughter’s nude body and he has yet to display any signs of emotion publicly. Deena and Kelly’s continued display of laughter and carefree demeanors during a memorial service held in Baltimore in honor of Phylicia is not only sickening, demonstrates that they are not exactly moved by the passing of their baby sister, and is the main reason that suspicion lingers around them.

8. During the Police conducted searches for Phylicia in the early stages of her disappearance case, Police were fed bogus tips regarding places where the child’s remains may possibly be. Baring the Patapsco State Park search, which led to the discovery of the remains of a homeless man unrelated to the case, the authorities have run into one dead end after another. The discovery of Phylicia’s body tens of miles away from where Police were led tends to raise suspicion whether the leads were purposely orchestrated to keep cops distracted while valuable forensic evidence dissipated. The fact hat Police K-9 dogs lost the child’s scent at the main entrance of the apartment building obviously demonstrates that Deena’s apartment was ground zero for the purpose of concluding a recovery of her remains.

9. Deena’s apartment yielded no forensics evidence related to a murder or a crime of any kind. So what happened to Phylicia? No one saw the child exit the apartment alone or accompanied by anyone, surveillance cameras mounted atop local establishments in the area did not reveal any images of Phylicia traveling as Micheal Johnson had alleged, and Phylicia’s discovery nude points to a meticulous and detailed disposal of her body. The discarding of the child’s clothing aids in destroying potential fibers, DNA, and other forensics that could lead to her killer(s). Dumping the body in the river probably was the most clever act that was committed in her murder because the winter months shielded the body for months, but I am not convinced that the primary suspects in this case possessed the aptitude to met out such criminalistic intelligence. I am completely convinced that there was a conspiracy involved in the disposal of the child’s body, and that they had help from sources with expertise in anatomical decomposition. Realizing that Micheal Johnson has family members within the Baltimore City Police Department only fuels my perspective here.

These are just some of the many troubling and alarming circumstances that surround the disappearance and subsequent murder of Phylicia Barnes, and it seems that the investigating authorities have a plethora of information to lead them to her killer(s) yet no arrest have been made. The public can only continue to pray and hope that something emerges to bring the person(s) responsible for taking this flower from our midst. As the Anniversary of Phylicia’s disappearance looms we must embrace her family and friends with a comfort empowered by our love for life and justice. The cruel and harsh realities of this world are often times too difficult to bare, but we must press on and live without fear, nor shall we allow ourselves to fall astray from the straight path of righteousness. We pray for redemption and we pray for those whom have gone astray. In loving memory of a little girl who died senselessly and so young. Rest now young Phylicia for you will forever be in our hearts. God speed!

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

The Beloved Baltimore Homeless Advocate, the late Ms. Bea Gaddy

I remember sometime in the early 1990’s attending service at a local catholic church where I would have the opportunity of a life time to see the World’s living Angel, Mother Theresa. As the presiding priest exited the pulpit, with the sisters of their faith  in tow, there I saw the small framed woman who was so beloved around the world. Walking beside her was another woman who many compared to the angelic like Mother. Her name was Ms. Bea Gaddy. Ms. Bea, a once homeless woman living as a Bag Lady in the city of Baltimore, was well known throughout the State of Maryland as the Mother Theresa of Baltimore for her work aiding the poor and destitute citizens of the city. The Bea Gaddy Community Outreach Center in East Baltimore was known as one of the official places of refuge for displaced families living in shelters, fire victims, children, and even those recently released from prison could call upon Ms. Bea at their time of need. The center provided blankets for homeless people living on the streets during winter months, shoes, clothes, and school supplies for poor kids whose families were unable to purchase them. To the people of Baltimore Ms Bea was a gift sent from heaven to minister to the ills of the impoverished in a gritty town  where  hard times and life’s rough patches were common place for many. Those familiar with the community know that it wasn’t uncommon to see Ms. Bea traveling on foot near the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus as people of all ethnicities and all backgrounds, often greeted her with kindness, affectionate embraces, and many would press the palms of her hand with $100, $50, and $20 dollar bills or what ever they had on them. People respected her work and a lot of those who gave cash were people that Bea Gaddy had helped during their hard times. Perhaps Bea Gaddy is more widely known for her annual Thanksgiving Day Holiday Dinner that she held to feed thousands of poor people in a single day. The event was so popular that local media would broadcast updates of the dinners progression and Ms. Bea would often make pleas to the public for items needed to make certain every one in attendance was fed. Citizens would leave their dinner table and rush over requested items to aid in the event’s success. During one TGH Dinner Bea Gaddy fed over 10,000 people. This single act of benevolence is only shadowed by the story of Jesus feeding millions with a loaf of bread, I’m sure. Her spirit of giving played seconds to her character. Bea Gaddy had an alluring personality in which she harvested a genuine love for people. Ms. Bea didn’t just take donations  for her activism, but she listened to people, and could relate to their plight. Ms. Bea’s emphatic practicality of living in poverty and a spell of  homelessness enabled her to lure donations from others who fostered compassion and a spirit of giving back. The fact that a former homeless black woman could rise from the gutter in a town marred by social and economic disparity and cultivate a grass roots ministry of helping the poor itself is a divine feet that her people would  fall beneficiary too. Ms. Bea has since gone on to be with the Lord, but her spirit and love for people remains for all that she ever touched and helped along the way. I am inspired by her legacy, her compassion, and genuine desire to offer a hand of upliftment to so many she never even knew personally. So, Tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day I’ll excuse myself and take a few plates of food downtown to the island of the homeless in my town, listen to them for awhile, learn how I can help their situation, and get a reality check of the real world because this too could be me.  The next time I visit my parent’s internment at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Cemetary in Randallstown, Md., I’ll walk a few headstones away and leave some flowers at Ms. Bea’s headstone too. What a wonderful example and legacy she left for us all. Ms. Bea Gaddy, a true Champion of her People.

Volunteers Bringing donations into the Bea Gaddy Community Outreach Center in East Baltimore, MD

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

We have seen the images on Billboards, fliers posted on street poles, and on milk cartons for decades in a campaign to reunite missing children with their love ones. Though the stories on many of these sad and horrific cases linger on, there isn’t a since of urgency to resolve cases where young kids simply disappear in thin air without a trace. Many grieving parents never obtain closure after losing a child and it must be a living cancer to simply move on without them. We see National Media Reports on most Major Television Networks all the time. Some of the more recent stories highlighted the tragedy of young Caylee Anthony, Baby Lisa and even Teen Natalie Halloway, but the troubling reality is that all of these children were White Americans. Rarely if ever do National Media Broadcast stories pertaining to missing Black Children. Upon the initial sounding of an alarm that a white child has gone missing Media, Police, and the F.B.I. are on the case. These incidents normally trigger large search parties into the dark of the night looking for missing white kids. When a Black child becomes missing, the Police downplays the entire situation and almost assuredly assumes that the child is troubled, ran away, or just hanging out. The lack of authentic concern or investigation during the initial report of a missing black child results in losing valuable and critical time. To highlight my argument here, during the initial report  of the Phylicia Barnes missing person case, the child’s mother Janice Sallis spoke with the primary Officer on the scene, who told her, “We believe that she ran away”. Ms. Sallis had to convey to the Officer that her child would never do that. That she was a happen kid, and had no reason to run off without letting family know. Ms. Sallis even had to beg Police to go and look for her daughter. Later on when it became apparent that foul play was involved in the Barnes kid case, the Police even cried out for National Media attention. Networks reluctantly ran her story only after race was introduce for the lack of coverage of a missing studious black kid. Currently the News media has been running the Baby Lisa missing person case night and day. The Media has been on that case from the gate, but at the same time a pretty little African American child Jahessye Shockley from Glendale, Arizona has been missing for nearly a month, and most Americans have never heard about her story.

Young 5 year old Jahessye Shockley went missing on October 11, 2011

In fact there are hundreds of black kids currently missing and many of these tragic stories have yet to break mainstream news. Many have argued that the life of a black child isn’t valued as equally as that of white children. Some say that media sells cases of missing persons based on cosmetology in an effort to make sales of advertisements they solicit to viewers. In short the perception is that beauty sells. This is a very disturbing revelation which in fact infers that white children are more physically appealing than black kids. But not just that, African American Publications such as Jet, Ebony, Essence,  and other periodicals that solicit to our communities have failed to deliver media coverage of missing black kids as well. To further illustrate this point, we also see the lack of interest in stories by Blacks in power, in Congress, the Senate, and other Black Officials holding Public office who fail to even associate themselves with the plight of Black families suffering in the wake of their missing children. Moreover, the most disheartening reality is the black community itself fosters a scary discernment whereby we devalue the life of our own kids. We are not outraged enough. We are not shouting at the top of our lungs demanding exposure or Police attentiveness in finding missing black kids. Time and time again we see large groups of volunteers within the white community, some times in the thousands, searching and looking for their kids. The Black community has failed itself on this issue and we have no one to blame but ourselves. We must began developing respect and admiration for our community, learned to love each other, and look after each others children. In cases where an actual crime has occurred related to missing children, individuals who know something, or has saw something must come forward. We continue to make excuses why we don’t get involved. However, I am not referring to the thug who robbed the local corner store, I am talking about our children, and there can’t possibly be anything of greater importance. When we see crime against our children the entire community must get involved and demonstrate that our kids are sacred ground and any harm unto them will not be tolerated. We must stop living in fear and began to do for our selves what is necessary to protect our children. We know that America is racist, that some people don’t love our people, hate our people, wish death upon our people, and our children. Fear must not be an option when protecting our kids. A movement began last night in an effort to develop a grass roots campaign to help find and locate missing Black Children. The distinguished Host of WBRG “The Bridge” on Blogtalk Radio, Mr. John Robinson and Ms. Corliss King challenged listeners to post images of missing black children on their Facebook Profile page. So starting this Monday or before, I am requesting that all of you (all 20,000 of you) who have been visiting my Blog related to the Phylicia Barnes case, to join in and assist us  launching this movement to get the images of missing black kids out there to the public. You never know what we can achieve by getting the pictures out there in Social Media. Please visit www.blackandmissinginc.com to learn more about missing Black kids. Also post the picture of a missing black child for at least a week and give a brief history of the child’s story. We must do what we certainly can and have to do for ourselves, and save our kids. God Bless each and everyone of you.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams