Trigger warning: Explicit description of death and infant death
A tragedy in Lincolnshire, England, where a toddler was found dead of dehydration and starvation next to his father’s body, has raised questions about the lack of social care intervention.
Bronson Battersby was just two years old when he took his life. His tiny corpse was found next to that of his father after social services missed the chance to save him, his devastated family announced on Monday, January 15.
Little Bronson, pictured in Pussy Bear pajamas, was found curled up with heart attack victim Kenneth Battersby, 60, 14 days after he was last seen. Sun report.
“We have to rely on social workers to keep our children safe,” Bronson’s mother, Sarah Piece, 43, said.
Two-year-old Bronson Battersby was found dead of dehydration and starvation next to his father’s body, raising questions about the lack of social care intervention.
Image credit: Sarahlouise Piesse
They were last seen alive on Boxing Day, shortly after Kenneth reportedly died of a heart attack.
That meant Bronson, who was in the care of a children’s home, was left in the dark for two terrifying weeks with no food, water or help.
According to The Sun, social workers visited the father’s rental property on January 2nd and again two days later, but received no response.
A community employee reported the incident to the police. However, in a surprising turn of events, another five days passed before Bronson and Kenneth’s bodies were discovered on January 9th.
Skyler, the family’s pet boxer, was found emaciated but alive in their Skegness home.
Preliminary tests reportedly revealed that Bronson tragically died of dehydration and starvation.
On Monday, his mother Sarah, fighting back tears, told The Sun: But they did nothing. can’t believe it.
“They cannot continue to be left out. We must rely on social workers to keep our children safe.”
The devastated mother added: Bronson starved to death because her father died.
“They believe that Kenneth didn’t die until December 29th, which means that if social workers had rushed in when they didn’t hear back on January 2nd, Bronson would still be alive. It means being deaf.”
Bronson and his father, Kenneth Battersby, were last seen alive on Boxing Day.
Image credit: Sarahlouise Piesse
The heartbreaking report says the mother of three was unable to hold Bronson when she went to identify him. Sarah said this while crying. She said, “I couldn’t pick her up because she was too weak.
“All I could do was touch him. He had been left there for too long.”
Sarah last saw her baby son before Christmas after an argument with her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Bronson was last seen alive on Boxing Day when he waved to a neighbor who had called for the boy and his father.
On Dec. 27, Kenneth sent a message to a neighbor saying, “Thank you so much for your concern. It means so much to me and Bronson.”
That day, Bronson’s social worker texted Kenneth to arrange a regular visit.
“She knocked on the door on January 2nd, but there was no answer so she left,” Sarah explained. “She contacted other addresses and called the police,” her heartbroken mother added.
According to Lincolnshire County Council, social workers visited the premises unannounced on January 4, but when there was no response, police were called again, The Sun reported.
Kenneth, who was unemployed and said to have had a pre-existing heart condition, died of a heart attack.
Image credit: Sarahlouise Piesse
Community staff continued to arrange keys from the landlord and eventually made a horrifying discovery. Police and medical personnel rushed to the scene, but both were reportedly pronounced dead.
Sarah was then given the heartbreaking news when police came knocking on her door.
On Monday, the county council in Skegness, Lincolnshire, was reported to have confirmed it had launched a swift investigation into the events surrounding Mr Bronson’s death.
The social worker was not suspended, but appears to have taken voluntary leave.
A family friend told The Sun: Bronson deserved it and was much better.
“He was a very loving, adorable boy. They found him curled up at Kenneth’s feet.
“He must have been left in the dark, scared and confused. He must have thought his father was just sleeping or something.
“He must have been trying to wake me up. He must have been screaming. I don’t know how the neighbors couldn’t hear me.
“Kids that age seem to be able to survive three to four days without eating. It must have been torture.
“He was just gorgeous. He was always smiling and a very loving person.
“He always wanted to be held. He was like any toddler anywhere. He liked anything that made noise.”
Bronson was found curled up with Kenneth 14 days after he was last seen
Image credit: Sarahlouise Piesse
The friend also exclaimed: “Social services failed that boy. If they had done their job properly, he might still be alive.
“When does a social worker just accept a vulnerable child’s door unanswered? That’s shameful.
“They knew Kenny wasn’t feeling well. They must have known Bronson might be alone.”
Melanie Battersby, Bronson’s sister, wrote on Facebook:
“We love you, Bronson, forever a part of us, and forever my baby brother.”
Adding that her “head and heart” were “shredded”, her grieving brother wrote: he was perfect. ”
Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances and handed over the case to the coroner, reports said.
An initial post-mortem examination reportedly ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning.
Her father, Kenneth, was unemployed and reportedly suffering from heart disease. He had also developed severe jaundice in recent months.
Social Services classified Bronson as vulnerable and he received weekly visits.
A family friend told The Sun: “Kenneth loved Bronson more than anything. He was like two peas in a pod. He would have done anything for him.
“They were everything to each other. I keep picturing Bronson in my head trying to wake up his lonely, confused father. It makes me so angry.”
“If social services had done their job properly, Bronson would still be alive,” said Bronson’s mother, Sarah Piece, 43.
Image credit: Sarahlouise Piesse
A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson 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.”
“An investigation is underway and the death is not being treated as suspicious.”
East Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed that an ambulance and three of its paramedics attended the incident.
“This is a tragic incident and we are supporting the family during this difficult time,” said Heather Sandy, Executive Director of Children’s Services.
“We are working with partner agencies to investigate the incident to better understand the situation and are awaiting the results of the coroner’s investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved.”
“My heart breaks for him,” one reader commented.
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