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.
David B. Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and founder of The People's Champion, a platform built on truth, justice, and advocacy for the overlooked. For over a decade, Adams has investigated wrongful convictions, missing and exploited children, homelessness, and the political forces that shape marginalized communities' lives.
What sets his work apart is a refusal to sensationalize. Adams treats crime reporting as human storytelling — pushing past headlines to examine the systemic failures in law enforcement, the courts, and government that so often go unexamined. He's built a reputation among activists and advocates for combining deep research, personal narrative, and unflinching commentary.
The People's Champion began as a personal outlet and has grown into a respected independent voice in crime and justice journalism, read by audiences nationwide who care about accountability and the people too often left out of the story.
