Bronson Battersby: Review after boy, two, and dad found dead

Image source, Facebook

Image caption, Bronson Battersby is believed to have died alone from starvation after his father succumbed to a heart attack

By Kevin Shoesmith

BBC News

A two-year-old boy and his dad have been found dead at a property in Skegness, prompting a “rapid review”.

Bronson Battersby was found alone in the house with his 60-year-old dad, named locally as Kenneth, on 9 January.

It is thought the toddler, who has been described as the “light of his dad’s eye”, starved to death after Kenneth had a heart attack.

The family was known to children’s services and Lincolnshire County Council has launched a inquiry.

Its executive director of children services, Heather Sandy, described the deaths as “devastating” and “tragic”.

“Kenneth has passed away at his home,” she told BBC Radio 4’s World at One.

“He was at home on his own with Bronson and that meant that there was nobody left to give Bronson care, and sadly as a result of that, Bronson has also passed away.”

Media caption, Listen: Children’s services boss on Bronson Battersby

She said a review of various agencies’ involvement would be carried out.

“What’s really important is that we understand fully what has happened, so the rapid review will allow all of those agencies to come together and to look at what has happened.”

She added: “This is absolutely devastating for us and very much more devastating for the family, and our thoughts are with them.”

‘Chance to be good dad’

Ms Sandy confirmed a social worker “had contact” with Kenneth on 27 December, with a home visit then arranged for 2 January.

“The social worker went to Bronson and Kenneth’s home and had no response to the knock at the door, so she looked at other addresses to try and locate Bronson, and when she failed to do that she spoke to her manager and she contacted police,” she said.

The social worker made another attempt on the 4th and because she could not legally gain entry, alerted the landlady following a third failed attempt on the 9th, Ms Sandy added.

Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman described the events as a “tragedy”.

“It does appear that social services made repeated contact – they tried to get hold and the system did not seem to understand the potential gravity of the situation. That’s what we’ve got to try and understand,” he said.

Image source, Crispin Rolfe / BBC

Image caption, Emergency services found their bodies at a property in Prince Alfred Avenue on 9 January

A neighbour, who claimed she knew the family, described Bronson as “gorgeous, happy little boy”, adding “his dad was his best friend”.

Maria Clifton-Plaice, Kenneth’s landlady, said she was “just heartbroken”, describing finding Mr Bronson’s body as one of the “worst [days] of my life.”

She said she did not know Bronson well but added: “I know he’d come and started staying with Kenny recently and he was just probably the light of his dad’s eye. He was, I think, Kenny’s chance to be a good dad.”

Timeline

27 December A social worker “has contact” with Kenneth and a home visit is arranged2 January The social worker arrives at the property but there is no response at the door. She tries to locate Bronson at other addresses and unable to find him, speaks to her manager and the police4 January A second attempt at a home visit is made. Again, there is no response. The social worker informs police9 January A third attempt is made and the social worker alerts Kenneth’s landlady. Entry is gained and the bodies of both Kenneth and Bronson are found17 January Lincolnshire County Council confirms a review is under way and Lincolnshire Police says it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)Source: Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told Prime Minister’s Questions he was “saddened” to hear how the father and son had died in “heartbreaking circumstances”.

Lincolnshire Police said it was not treating the deaths as suspicious but had referred itself to the IOPC, adding it was standard procedure in such cases.

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