Janice Nix charged with 1978 manslaughter of five-year-old

Janice Nix, a 66-year-old woman, appeared in Uxbridge Magistrates' Court charged with the manslaughter of five-year-old Andrea Bernard, who died from severe burns after being scalded in a hot bath in June 1978. The court heard that Andrea suffered 50% body burns and was initially treated at a local hospital before being transferred to a specialist burns unit, where she succumbed to her injuries a month later. Nix is also accused of cruelty towards Andrea's brother, Desmond Bernard, during the same timeframe. The Metropolitan Police began investigating the case in September 2022 after Desmond, now an adult, reported the incident. Nix, who wore a navy blue hoodie in court, was released on bail with conditions including surrendering her passports and is scheduled to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on March 19. This marks the first time Nix has faced criminal charges related to these allegations.