A POLICE update has been issued after a two-year-old boy was found dead next to his dad’s body over Christmas.
Bronson Battersby was found curled up at the legs of dad Kenneth, 60, who tragically suffered a fatal heart attack.
Tragically, the two-year-old was under the care of children’s services but the pair were only found two weeks after they were last seen.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched a probe into Lincolnshire Police following a referral.
The watchdog examined all relevant calls and contact but found there was “no indication” any staff breached professional standards.
Regional director for the IOPC, Derrick Campbell, said: “This is a harrowing case, and our sympathies go out to everyone affected by the sad deaths of Bronson and Kenneth.
“It was appropriate we carried out a thorough investigation into the relevant contact between police and social services.
“At the end of our six-month investigation, we have concluded that there was no indication any Lincolnshire Police officer or member of staff may have breached police professional standards. We have shared our report with Lincolnshire Police and the coroner to help inform future inquest proceedings.
“We have recently met with the families involved to explain our findings. We have also advised the local child safeguarding practice review.
“In order not to prejudice the future inquests, we won’t be in a position to issue our full findings until they are held.”
An inquest into Bronson’s death previously heard he died from dehydration.
The hearing was told he had been sent to live with his dad Kenneth after his parents split in the summer of 2022.
Detective Inspector Claire Rimmer of Lincolnshire Police said the pair were discovered after a “concerned” neighbour reported a smell coming from the flat.
Officers discovered Kenneth’s body behind the living room door, while Bronson was found between his dad’s legs.
The youngster had been classified as vulnerable by officials, which meant he received weekly visits.
On January 2, a social worker visited his home in Skegness, Lincolnshire, but nobody answered the door so they alerted the police.
They tried again two days later but contacted officers for a second time after getting no answer.
Eventually – after five more days – the social worker got a key from Kenneth’s landlord and made the horrific discovery.
The pair were last seen alive on Boxing Day before Kenneth died of a heart attack soon after.
This means Bronson was left in the dark with no food or water and unable to get help.
Bronson’s mum Sarah Piesse previously said her son would still be alive “if social services had done their job”.
She added: “We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.”
Heather Sandy, executive director for children’s services, said at the time: “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.”
