Louise Woodward is a British former au pair who was charged with murder in 1997 after the eight-month-old baby she was caring for, Matthew Eappen, died from brain damage caused by shaken baby syndrome. Woodward was initially found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison, but her conviction was later reduced to involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced to 279 days in prison, which was the length of time she had already spent behind bars before and during her trial, and post-conviction. Woodward was freed from custody on November 10, 1997, and returned to the United Kingdom. The case became a media sensation and Woodward was dubbed the "Killer Nanny".

After the trial, Woodward and the Eappens reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit brought by Matthews parents. Under its terms, Woodward agreed to donate any money earned in connection to the case to charity. Woodward studied law at London’s South Bank University, graduating in 2002, and began working as a lawyer under a two-year training contract in 2004. She now teaches dance classes and mingles with fellow moms on the school run.