The police watchdog will investigate whether there were any “missed opportunities” by officers prior to the deaths of two-year-old Bronson Battersby and his father Kenneth in Lincolnshire.
The toddler was found dead next to the body of his 60-year-old father, who had suffered a fatal heart attack at the flat they shared in Skegness, two weeks after they were last seen alive on December 26th by a neighbour.
It is believed that Mr Battersby died days later, leaving Bronson with no access to food or water at their home on Prince Alfred Avenue.
Lincolnshire Police was contacted on two separate occasions by a Lincolnshire county council social worker who got no answer when they tried knocking on the door of Mr Battersby’s home to see them.
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The county council confirmed Bronson had been known to children’s services and would typically be seen at least once a month by social workers.
A spokesman for the county council confirmed the social worker communicated with Mr Battersby on December 27th and arranged to visit them on January 2nd, but there was no response when they arrived at the door.
The social worker “made inquiries at other addresses where the child could be” and contacted the police.
A second unannounced visit on January 4th also went unanswered, and Lincolnshire Police was contacted again.
Days later on January 9th, the social worker was let into the property by the landlord, where Mr Battersby and his son were found dead.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed on Thursday that Lincolnshire Police’s actions before Mr Battersby and his son were found would be the subject of an investigation.
Regional director for the IOPC, Derrick Campbell, said: “The harrowing circumstances in which Kenneth and Bronson Battersby died are truly shocking. Our sympathies go out to everyone affected by their sad deaths.
“It is appropriate we carry out an independent investigation to consider the police response to any prior welfare concerns that were raised.
“We will be examining whether there were any missed opportunities by police to check on Mr Battersby and Bronson sooner.
“We will be in contact with Bronson’s mother and Mr Battersby’s family in due course to explain our role and how our investigation will progress.”
Bronson’s mother Sarah Piesse (43), who did not live with Bronson, told the media she was “haunted” by thoughts of her “gorgeous boy” desperately searching for food and drink in the darkness after her ex-partner’s death.
She said Bronson and Mr Battersby had enjoyed a Christmas dinner “with all the trimmings” and the leftovers would have been in the fridge.
She told The Sun: “All I can think of in my head is him, starving, reaching up and trying to get them. I can’t bear it. He was about two inches off being able to reach the fridge to open it.”
Lincolnshire County Council is carrying out a “rapid review” of the case and the social worker involved has not been suspended, but is taking time off after their “traumatic experience”. – PA