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Stepmum guilty of 1978 scalding killing of girl, 5

Stepmum guilty of 1978 scalding killing of girl, 5

Summary

A woman named Janice Nix was found guilty of killing her five-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea Bernard, in 1978 by forcing her into a very hot bath. The case was reopened after Andrea’s older brother, Desmond Bernard, reported abuse in 2022.

Key Facts

  • Janice Nix was convicted of manslaughter for causing the death of Andrea Bernard, who was five years old in 1978.
  • Andrea suffered severe burns from a scalding bath and died five weeks after the injury.
  • The death was originally treated as an accident until the brother spoke to the police in 2022.
  • Desmond Bernard, now 56, described ongoing abuse by Nix, including beatings and other cruelty.
  • Nix was also convicted of cruelty to Desmond Bernard when he was a child from 1975 to 1978.
  • Desmond said he lied about the cause of Andrea’s death to protect himself from more abuse.
  • The abuse included physical violence like beatings with a belt, cigarette burns, and being forced to eat cat food.
  • The case took place in south London, and the trial revealed details about the punishment and fear the children experienced.
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