A woman who caused the death of a five-year-old girl by placing her in a scalding bath nearly fifty years ago has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Andrea Bernard’s death was initially considered an accident until her brother contacted the authorities in 2022 with new information about the incident.

Janice Nix, 67, was found guilty of manslaughter as more disturbing details of the crime emerged. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Isleworth Crown Court.

During the court proceedings, the retired probation officer sobbed throughout and cried loudly as the judge delivered his statements.

Andrea passed away in 1978 at their home in Thornton Heath, south London, after expressing that the water was too hot before being forced into the bath by Nix.

Desmond Bernard, Andrea’s brother, testified that he heard his sister saying the water was too hot while Nix insisted she get in the bath. He recounted hearing screams and splashing shortly before the tragic incident on June 6, 1978.

Desmond further revealed that Nix sounded scared as she called on Andrea to wake up after the ordeal. He described finding his sister limp and wrapped in a towel with her skin peeling off.

During the trial, Desmond emotionally disclosed that he initially labeled his sister’s death as accidental to halt Nix from harming him. Andrea succumbed to her injuries almost six weeks after being hospitalized with severe burns.

The court learned that Nix, then known as Janice Thomas, was in a relationship with Desmond Bernard’s father and acted as a stepmother to the children.

Nix was apprehended at Heathrow Airport on February 18, 2025, upon her arrival from Antigua and was charged on the same day. Despite denying the charges of manslaughter and child cruelty, she was convicted in May after weeping in court.

Opt for Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for instant access to the news that matters to you.