A woman who was acting as a stepmother to a young girl was sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the child’s death nearly 50 years ago by placing her in scalding hot water.
The incident involving Andrea Bernard was initially believed to be an accident until her brother came forward to the authorities in 2022 with new information.
Janice Nix, aged 67, was found guilty of manslaughter as more disturbing details of the crime emerged. She was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court following an emotional trial where she visibly wept as the judge delivered the verdict.
The tragic event occurred in 1978 at their residence in Thornton Heath, south London, after Andrea protested about the water being too hot before Nix forced her into the bath despite her pleas.
Desmond Bernard, Andrea’s brother, recounted hearing his sister expressing distress about the hot water while Nix insisted she get into the bath, leading to the fatal outcome. Andrea’s cries for help were followed by silence before Nix desperately tried to revive her.
Desmond, now 56, revealed that he initially described the incident as an accident to protect himself from Nix’s abuse. Andrea succumbed to her injuries six weeks later at the hospital, having sustained severe burns covering half of her body.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Nix, previously known as Janice Thomas, was involved with the children’s father and acted as their stepmother. She was apprehended at Heathrow Airport in 2025 and faced charges of manslaughter and child cruelty, to which she had pleaded not guilty.
In a courtroom appearance, Nix broke down when the jury found her guilty of manslaughter and cruelty towards Desmond during the period of 1975 to 1978.
