A two-year-old boy was left to starve to death alone and in the dark next to his father’s dead body. Young Bronson Battersby, who lived in Skegness, Lincolnshire, was found next to his father Kenneth, who had passed away as a result of a heart attack.
It had been 14 days since Bronson and Kenneth had last been seen, and according to the family social services “missed the chance to save” the young boy.
Reports show Kenneth passed away as a result of a heart attack soon after Boxing Day and wasn’t checked in on by social services until a week later.
Bronson had been under children’s services care at the time of his death.
The child’s mother, 43-year-old Sarah Piesse, said: “We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.”
As a result of the incident, a rapid review is underway in the child’s hometown.
The child and father were last seen on Boxing Day, the family say, just before Kenneth, 60, died as a result of a heart attack.
Kenneth’s death meant young Bronson was left in the dark of his father’s home without food or water – and no chance of getting help.
According to the social services, social workers went to the rented property on January 2 and 4 but received no answer. Despite contacting the police, it took five days before Bronson and Kenneth’s bodies were found on January 9.
The Sun reports that while Kenneth and Bronson sadly died, emaciated pet boxer dog Skylar survived. Preliminary tests show Bronson died of dehydration and starvation.
Speaking to The Sun, Sarah said: “If social services had done their job Bronson would still be alive. But they didn’t do anything.
“I can’t believe it. They can’t let them get away with this. We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.”
Sarah added: “I’ve had the results of the post mortem. Bronson starved to death because his dad died. They think Kenneth died no earlier than December 29. It means if the social worker had pushed to get in when she got no reply on January 2 then Bronson would still have been alive.”
The county council confirmed on Tuesday a rapid review would be launched to understand the events surrounding Bronson’s death.
A family friend said that Bronson was found “curled up at Kenneth’s legs” and that the youngster “must have thought his dad was just asleep or something”.
A spokeswoman for Lincolnshire Police said: “Police were made aware of the deaths of a 60-year-old man and a two-year-old child at a property in Skegness, at around 3.25pm on January 9. Investigations have been carried out and the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.”
Heather Sandy, executive director for children’s services, added: “This was a tragic incident, and we are supporting the family at this difficult time.
“We are carrying out a review of the case alongside partner agencies to better understand the circumstances, and we await the results of the coroner’s investigations as well. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved.”
