Stepmother Convicted of Manslaughter in 1978 Scalding Death

Janice Nix, a 67-year-old woman, has been found guilty of manslaughter for the scalding death of her five-year-old stepdaughter Andrea Bernard in Thornton Heath, south London. The incident occurred nearly 50 years ago in June 1978 and was initially treated as an accident until Desmond Bernard, Andrea's older brother, came forward with new information in September 2022.

The court heard that Nix punished Andrea by forcing her into a scalding hot bath after she ignored instructions not to leave the house and help clean. Desmond testified that he heard Nix shouting at Andrea and then screaming followed by splashing sounds. When he entered the bathroom, he saw his sister's limp body with skin falling off due to severe burns covering half of her body.

Andrea died nearly six weeks after being admitted to hospital with burns to 50% of her body. Prosecutors argued that Nix must have forcibly held parts of Andrea's body underwater, as a child exposed to such hot water would instinctively try to get out. Desmond also testified about the physical and emotional abuse he suffered at the hands of Nix, including being beaten with a belt, burned with a cigarette, bitten, and made to eat cat food.

The case was reopened after Desmond Bernard came forward in 2022, revealing that he had initially lied about his sister's death due to fear of further punishment from Nix. He testified that Nix asked him to say the incident was an accident and threatened not to beat him again if he complied. The court also heard how Nix had given a false account during the 1978 inquest, claiming Andrea took a bath on her own before fainting.

The Crown Prosecution Service praised Desmond's courage in coming forward after all these years and securing justice for his sister. Janice Nix was remanded into custody to be sentenced at a later date.