According to The Sun, Woodward was 18 years old in 1996 when she came to the U.S. to work as a nanny. The Eappens were the second family she worked for once she arrived. Shortly after she began to work for the Eappens, Matthew Eappen stopped breathing, and Woodward called an ambulance, at which time the child was transported to a nearby hospital. At that time, Eappen fell into a coma, and five days later the boy died.
Doctors and nurses at that hospital suspected child abuse and Woodward was arrested. Among other evidence, Eappen’s skull was fractured in keeping with SBS. The child’s wrist was also broken and he showed signs of internal bleeding (via the Daily Mail). Though Woodward admitted she’d played somewhat roughly with Matthew Eappen she maintained her innocence. After her murder conviction it emerged that the jury was split on the ruling, and for this reason, the judge lessened Woodward’s conviction to manslaughter. (Woodward is pictured above with Matthew Eappen’s older brother, Brendan.)
