A 67-year-old woman has been convicted of killing her five-year-old stepdaughter by punishing her in a scalding hot bath nearly 50 years ago. Janice Nix was found guilty of manslaughter and child cruelty at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, following a fresh account from the victim's brother.
Andrea Bernard died in 1978 in Thornton Heath, south London, after suffering burns to 50% of her body. Her death was initially treated as an accident until her brother, Desmond Bernard, approached police in 2022 with a new version of events.
During the trial, the court heard that on 6 June 1978, Nix was furious with Andrea for leaving the house and failing to help clean. Desmond Bernard testified that he heard Nix shouting at Andrea to get into the bath, followed by Andrea crying that the water was too hot. He then heard screaming and splashing before the screaming stopped and Nix called for Andrea to wake up.
Bernard told jurors he saw his sister's limp body with skin falling off. He said Nix instructed him to claim it was an accident and that they had been in the garden. He explained he had initially lied because he feared further beatings from Nix, who had subjected him to physical abuse including beatings, biting, and burning with a cigarette.
A burns expert testified that a child would have instinctively tried to escape water hot enough to cause such injuries, leading prosecutors to argue Nix forcibly held Andrea under water. Nix, who was in a relationship with the children's father, denied the charges but admitted lying to the coroner in 1978, claiming she panicked over failing to supervise Andrea.
Following the verdict, Desmond Bernard said he was happy with the conviction as Nix must now take responsibility for her actions. Nix was remanded in custody for sentencing at a later date.
