Stepmum guilty of 1978 scalding killing of girl, 5
Janice Nix has been found guilty of manslaughter for the 1978 scalding death of her five-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea Bernard. The case was reopened after Andrea's brother reported the incident to the police in 2022, revealing a history of abuse. Nix was also convicted of cruelty towards her stepson during the same period.
- ▪Janice Nix was charged with manslaughter in February 2025.
- ▪Andrea Bernard suffered serious burns and died five weeks after the incident.
- ▪The jury heard testimony about Nix's abusive behavior towards the children, including physical beatings.
- ▪Andrea's brother reported the incident to the police in 2022, leading to the reopening of the case.
- ▪Nix was found guilty of both manslaughter and cruelty towards her stepson.
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Stepmum guilty of 1978 scalding killing of girl, 522 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePA MediaJanice Nix was charged with manslaughter in February 2025 A woman has been found guilty of killing her five-year-old stepdaughter by scalding her in a hot bath in 1978.Janice Nix, 67, who had denied the manslaughter of Andrea Bernard, punished her by forcing her to take the scalding bath in Thornton Heath, south London, nearly 50 years ago.Andrea suffered serious burns to half of her body and died in hospital on 13 July 1978, five weeks after the incident.
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