A woman who was a stepmother to a five-year-old girl has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the child’s death in a scalding bath almost 50 years ago. The incident, initially considered an accident, was brought to light when the girl’s brother contacted the police in 2022 with new information.
Janice Nix, 67, a retired probation officer, was found guilty of manslaughter as disturbing details of the tragedy emerged during the trial. She sobbed throughout the court proceedings and broke down as the judge delivered the sentence.
The victim, Andrea Bernard, tragically passed away in 1978 at their family home in Thornton Heath, south London, after expressing that the water was too hot. Nix, in a fit of anger, forced Andrea into the scalding bath after she disobeyed instructions and refused to help with cleaning.
Andrea’s brother testified that he heard her crying out about the hot water while Nix insisted she get in. He recounted hearing screams and splashing before the little girl’s demise. The court learned that Andrea sustained severe burns covering half of her body and succumbed to her injuries weeks later.
Nix, known as Janice Thomas at the time, was in a relationship with the children’s father and acted as their stepmother. She was arrested at Heathrow Airport in 2025 and charged with manslaughter and cruelty to a child. The judge emphasized that Nix was fully aware of the danger posed by the scalding bath.
In addition to the manslaughter charge, Nix was also convicted of cruelty towards Andrea’s brother between 1975 and 1978. The brother, Desmond Bernard, revealed the abuse they endured, including physical punishment and being forced to eat cat food, which ultimately led to Andrea’s tragic death.
Desmond, in a heartbreaking victim impact statement, described the lasting trauma caused by Nix’s actions and how it shattered his life. He confronted Nix directly in court, accusing her of robbing Andrea of a future and irreversibly changing his own life. The family mourned Andrea’s loss deeply, with her mother expressing profound grief over the loss of her beloved daughter.
These events serve as a reminder of the tragic consequences of abuse and the lasting impact it has on families.