A toddler was found curled up between his father’s legs after dying of dehydration, an inquest heard.
The body of Bronson Battersby, 2, was discovered on January 9 next to his father Kenneth, who is believed to have suffered a heart attack after he was last seen alive on Boxing Day.
On January 2, a social worker visited the family home in Skegness, Lincolnshire as part of a routine visit but received no reply so contacted the police.
The worker went back to the house on January 4 but again heard no response so contacted police one more time.
The father and son were not found until five days later, when the social worker used a key from the landlord to enter the home.
The inquest heard that Bronson went to live with his father following the separation of his parents in the summer of 2022, while his two siblings lived with his mother.
Detective Inspector Claire Rimmer of Lincolnshire Police told the coroner’s court how police received a call from a “concerned” neighbour who hadn’t seen Kenneth and reported a smell coming from the flat.
Coroner’s officer Tracy Cox confirmed that Bronson’s post-mortem examination showed that he died of dehydration.
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Senior coroner Paul Smith who opened the case in Lincoln adjourned the inquest to a provisional date of December 10, while a “thorough and sensitive investigation” into the two deaths takes place.
Kenneth was unemployed and had a pre-existing heart condition which had caused him to become severely jaundiced in the months leading up to his death.
Bronson was also classified as vulnerable by social services – meaning he required weekly visits from workers.
Heather Sandy, executive director for children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council, said in January: “This was a tragic incident, and we are supporting the family at this difficult time.
Bronson Battersby was found by social services after not being seen for two weeksFacebook
“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.”
It is understood that the social worker has not been suspended but has voluntarily taken time off.
Source Agencies
