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Boy, 2, starved to death curled up next to dad who died of heart attack | UK News


Bronson Battersby, 2, starved to death after his father Kenneth, 60, died of a heart attack (Picture: Facebook)

A two-year-old boy was left to die alone of starvation curled up next to his dead father who had suffered a heart attack, his family have revealed.

Little Bronson Battersby was found inside his home in Skegness, Lincolnshire, alongside his father Kenneth, 60, some 14 days after they were last seen alive on Boxing Day.

Kenneth is believed to have died within the next few days, leaving Bronson in the dark with no food or water and unable to get any help for almost two weeks.

His mum Sarah Piesse, 43, claims social services missed multiple chances to save the toddler, who was discovered wearing his Pudsey pyjamas.

A social worker came to the rented property on January 2 for a routine visit but there was no answer at the door, so she contacted the police and knocked on other doors.

She returned two days later but there was still no response and she contacted police again.

It took another five days before she finally arranged to get a key from the landlord to check on the pair herself, who were considered vulnerable and being visited weekly.

The toddler died from dehydration and starvation at his home in Skegness, Lincolnshire (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

The toddler died from dehydration and starvation at his home in Skegness, Lincolnshire (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

When she got inside the property on January 9, both Kenneth and Bronson were dead.

Initial post-mortem results show that Bronson died from dehydration and starvation, while Kenneth died of a heart attack. 

Their pet boxer dog Skylar managed to survive but was left very thin and weak, reports The Sun. 

‘If social services had done their job Bronson would still be alive,’ said Sarah, who last saw her son before Christmas after having a row with her ex.

Kenneth and Bronson were found dead together on January 9, some two weeks after they were last seen alive (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

Kenneth and Bronson were found dead together on January 9, some two weeks after they were last seen alive (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

‘But they didn’t do anything. 

‘They can’t let them get away with this. We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.

‘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.’

Bronson's mum Sarah Piesse claims her son would still be alive if social services had 'done their job properly' (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

Bronson’s mum Sarah Piesse claims her son would still be alive if social services had ‘done their job properly’ (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

Sarah said: 'We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe' (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

Sarah said: ‘We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe’ (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

Bronson was last seen alive when he waved at a neighbour who checked in on the youngster and his dad on Boxing Day.

The next day, Kenneth messaged a neighbour to say: ‘Thanks so much for caring, it means the world to me and Bronson.’ 

He also made contact with a social worker to arrange a visit on January 2.

Nobody heard from him again.

A family friend said Bronson was found ‘curled up at Kenneth’s legs’ and that he ‘must have thought his dad was just asleep or something’.

A family friend said Kenneth loved Bronson and they were like 'two peas in a pod' (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

A family friend said Kenneth loved Bronson and they were like ‘two peas in a pod’ (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

‘He must have been trying to wake him up,’ they said. ‘He must have been screaming. I don’t know how the neighbours didn’t hear.’

She also said Bronson loved cartoons on the YouTube channel Cocomelon and was always playing his Little Tykes drum kit.

Kenneth was unemployed and had a pre-existing heart condition which caused him to become severely jaundiced in the months before he died.

The friend added: ‘They knew Kenny was unwell. They must have known there was a chance Bronson could be left on his own.’

A rapid review has been launched into the circumstances surrounding Bronson's death (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

A rapid review has been launched into the circumstances surrounding Bronson’s death (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

Another friend said: ‘Kenneth loved Bronson more than anything. They were like two peas in a pod. He would have done anything for him.’

Sarah said she was unable to hold Bronson when she went to identify him because his body was ‘too fragile’ and could ‘only touch him’.

The county council has confirmed a rapid review has been launched into events surrounding Bronson’s death.

According to The Sun, the social worker involved has not been suspended from duty but is thought to have voluntarily taken time off.

Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances after young Bronson died (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)

Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances after young Bronson died (Picture: Facebook / Sarah Louise Piesse)



Timeline of events: Bronson Battersby’s death

  • Before Christmas: Sarah Piesse sees her son Bronson for the last time and has an argument with his dad Kenneth.
  • Boxing Day: Bronson and Kenneth are seen alive for the last time by a neighbour who checks in on them – and Bronson waves from inside the house.
  • December 27: Kenneth messaged a neighbour to say: ‘Thanks so much for caring, it means the world to me and Bronson.’ He also arranges a visit with social services for January 2.
  • December 29: The earliest date Kenneth could have died.
  • January 2: A social worker calls in but there is no answer. She contacts police and visits other properties nearby.
  • January 4: The social worker calls again but there is still no response. She contacts the police again.
  • January 9: The social worker contacts the landlord to get a key to enter the home herself. Kenneth and Bronson are found dead inside the property.
  • January 16: The family learn the initial post-mortem results, which found Bronson died of dehydration and starvation, while Kenneth died of a heart attack.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman 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, said: ‘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.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.


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