A woman killed a five-year-old girl nearly 50 years ago by forcing her into a scalding bath, a court heard.
Janice Nix, 66, is accused of the manslaughter of Andrea Bernard at an address in Ashley Road, Thornton Heath, south London, on June 6 1978.
Andrea died in a specialist burns unit five weeks later on July 13 1978.
Andrea was initially treated at a medical facility in Croydon and later transferred to a specialized burns unit in East Grinstead, West Sussex. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries on July 13 of that year.
Nix, of Clapham, southwest London, wept as she appeared in the dock at Uxbridge Magistrates Court this morning.
She is also accused of cruelty to Andrea’s brother Desmond Bernard between October 1, 1975, and June 6, 1978, when he was eight.
Wearing a navy blue hoodie, Nix – who was aged between 16 and 19 at the time of the alleged incidents – spoke only to confirm her name, age, and address during the short hearing.
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The Metropolitan Police said the force’s cold case team launched an investigation into Andrea’s death in September 2022.
The court heard the incident was reported to police at that time by Mr. Bernard, who is now an adult.
Nix was freed on bail with conditions including surrendering her passports and not traveling to any international travel hubs.
She is set to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on March 19.
