Stepmother Guilty of 1978 Death of 5-Year-Old by Scalding Bath
In a landmark verdict on 26 May 2026, 67-year-old Janice Nix was found guilty of manslaughter over the death of her five-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea Bernard. The case was reopened after Andrea’s brother contacted police in 2022, challenging the long-held view that her death was accidental. Jurors heard that Nix forced Andrea into an unbearably hot bath in Thornton Heath, south London, causing burns over half her body. The child died in hospital five weeks later, on 13 July 1978. Andrea’s brother, now 56, gave emotional testimony describing years of abuse, including beatings with a belt, cigarette burns, and cruel punishments. His evidence proved crucial in securing convictions of cruelty dating back to 1975 as well as the manslaughter verdict. A deputy crown prosecutor called the investigation “remarkable,” noting it is among the oldest homicide cases pursued by London prosecutors. The outcome sends a clear message that justice can be achieved even decades after horrific crimes.
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