A two-year-old child died next to his late father after suffering a heart attack from starvation, his devastated family have revealed.
Bronson Battersby was found curled up in his pajamas next to his father Kenneth, 60, who is believed to have suffered a heart attack shortly after he was last seen alive on Boxing Day.
A social worker attended their home in Skegness, Lincolnshire, on January 2 for a routine visit but received no response and contacted police.
They visited again on January 4, but again there was no response. The social worker contacted the police again that day.
Shockingly, the bodies of Kenneth and Bronson – who were classified as vulnerable and checked weekly – were not found until January 9 when the social worker himself used a key provided by the landlord to enter the house.
The toddler’s mother, Sarah Piesse, 43, last saw her son before Christmas after an argument with her ex.
She said The sun: ‘If social services had done their job, Bronson would still be alive. But they did nothing.
Two-year-old Bronson Battersby starved to death alongside his late father after suffering a heart attack, his devastated family have revealed
Bronson was found curled up in his pajamas next to his father Kenneth (pictured), 60, who is believed to have suffered a heart attack shortly after he was last seen alive on Boxing Day.
Bronson’s mother Sarah Piesse (pictured), 43, said she thought Bronson would still be alive ‘if social services had done their job’
‘I can not believe it. They can’t let them get away with this. We need to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.”
‘I’ve had the autopsy results. Bronson starved to death because his father died. They believe Kenneth died no earlier than December 29.
“It means that if the social worker had pushed to come in when she got no response on January 2, Bronson would still be alive.”
On Facebook, Bronson’s sister Melaniie Battersby wrote: ‘Beautiful little boy deserved so much better than this life. We love you, Bronson, forever a part of us, and forever my little brother.”
Adding that “head and heart” were “in pieces”, she said: “There was a lot of anger inside me at one point when all I wanted to do instead was remember his little smile and gentle nature.” He was perfect.’
Mum-of-three Sarah last saw Bronson after falling out with Kenneth before Christmas.
A family friend said the toddler loved watching the Cocomelon, loved nursery rhymes and often played his Little Tykes drum kit.
Sarah last saw Bronson after getting into a fight with Kenneth before Christmas
On Facebook, Bronson’s sister Melaniie Battersby wrote: ‘Beautiful little boy deserved so much better than this life. We love you Bronson, forever a part of us, and forever my little brother.”
Bronson was last seen alive by his neighbor after they visited the house on Boxing Day. Kenneth then messaged the same neighbor and said, “Thank you so much for your caring, it means a lot to me and Bronson.”
That same day, the social worker texted Kenneth to arrange a visit on January 2.
She contacted police when she received no response during the visit and did the same when she returned home on January 4.
The social worker then decided to enter the home himself on January 9, using a key from the landlord.
She found the bodies of Bronson and Kenneth and contacted police, who then rushed to the scene with paramedics around 3:25 p.m. The pair were pronounced dead at the scene.
Kenneth was unemployed and had a pre-existing heart condition that 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 received weekly visits from social workers.
The Sun said it understands the social worker has not been suspended but has voluntarily taken time off.
Heather Sandy, executive director of children’s services, said: ‘This was a tragic incident and we are supporting the family at this difficult time.
‘We are investigating the case with partner agencies to better understand the circumstances, and we are also awaiting the results of the coroner’s investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved.”
A spokeswoman for Lincolnshire Police said: ‘Police were informed 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.”