On 26/5, a jury found Janice Nix, 67, guilty of manslaughter in connection with Andrea Bernard's death and child cruelty against Andrea's brother, Desmond.

According to police, Andrea died from sepsis in 7/1978, nearly six weeks after being hospitalized with severe burns covering over 50% of her body. These injuries were sustained from a hot bath at the family home in Thornton Heath, London.

At the time, her death was ruled an accident.

However, over 44 years later, in 9/2022, Desmond went to the police station and stated his stepmother, Janice Nix, had killed his sister.

Desmond, who was 8 when Andrea died, explained that Janice had instructed him to lie about what truly happened. His stepmother threatened to punish the children by beating them and forcing them to eat cat food.

Young Andrea Bernard. *Photo: PA*

Upon reviewing the evidence, police found inconsistencies in Janice's statements. They discovered a brief investigator's report containing the stepmother's testimony with "astonishing discrepancies" compared to the story she recounted decades later.

Initially, Janice told police that Andrea had entered the bath herself and that the death was an accident. However, some of Janice's statements, including that the bath water was too hot due to a faulty boiler and that Andrea could still converse after sustaining burns, were "unreasonable" and dismissed by experts.

Janice, who had previously served time for drug trafficking, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 18/2/2025 upon her return to London from Antigua & Barbuda. On the same day, she was charged with Andrea's manslaughter and Desmond's abuse during the period from 10/1975 to 6/1978.

Janice admitted to lying at the time of Andrea's death but claimed it was due to "panic". She stated she was gardening without supervising the 5-year-old, then heard screams and ran inside to remove the girl from the bath.

Janice Nix leaving court in 2/2025. *Photo: PA*

However, Desmond testified in court: On 6/6/1978, his stepmother said Andrea was being punished for not cleaning the house. Desmond recalled hearing Andrea sob, "the water is too hot, mommy", but Janice yelled, "get in the bath!".

Desmond broke down in tears as he told the jury that he saw his "sister's skin peeling off" after she was lifted from the bath.

Janice was tasked with supervising the children while their father was at work. Desmond, the elder brother, stated that his stepmother's brutal punishments and beatings were hidden from their parents and other relatives and friends. She slapped him, beat him with a belt, burned him with cigarette butts, and once bit his hand hard enough to draw blood for eating chocolate from the refrigerator.

Police stated Janice would not have faced justice had it not been for Desmond's courage in exposing the truth.

Janice is currently in custody awaiting sentencing.

By Tue Anh (According to People, BBC, The Sun)