Toddler Died Of Starvation While Curled Up Next To His Father Who Died Of Heart Attack

A toddler, a two-year-old, died of hunger while snuggled up next to his father after his dad suffered a deadly heart attack, his family reported.

Bronson Battersby and his 60-year-old father, Kenneth, were found dead on January 9, 2024, at their house in Skegness, Lincolnshire, 14 days after they were last seen.

Lincolnshire County Council has initiated an investigation into the death of the toddler, who was deemed vulnerable and subjected to weekly checkups by children’s services.

A social worker visited their home on January 2 but received no response, so she alerted the police. She returned to the residence two days later and contacted the police again, but there was still no response.

The remains of the father and son were not discovered until days later, when a social worker entered the residence using a landlord’s key, according to the family.

Sarah Piesse, 43, the boy’s mother, said she last saw him before Christmas, following a disagreement with Kenneth. Her ex is supposed to have died of a heart attack no sooner than December 29th.

According to Piesse, the postmortem examination revealed that her kid died as a result of dehydration and starvation.

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“Bronson starved to death because his dad died,” she added. “They think Kenneth died no earlier than 29 December.”

She added: “I couldn’t pick him up because his body was too fragile. I could only touch him. He had been left there too long.”

The boy’s sister Melanie Battersby paid tribute to him on Facebook: “Beautiful little boy deserved so much better than this life. We love you, Bronson, forever a part of us, and forever my baby brother.”

She said her “head and heart [were] in pieces.”

She added: “A lot of anger inside at minute when I just want to remember his little smile and soft nature instead. He was perfect.”

The toddler was last seen alive on Boxing Day, waving at a neighbour who had called to see him and his father, according to the Sun.

Kenneth Battersby was unemployed and had a pre-existing cardiac disease that caused him to become extremely jaundiced in the months before his death.

A friend of the family told the Sun: “It breaks my heart. Bronson deserved so, so much better. He was such a loving, adorable little boy.

“They found him curled up at Kenneth’s legs. He was left in the dark and must have been terrified and so confused.”

She also mentioned that the youngster enjoyed watching cartoons on the YouTube channel Cocomelon, singing nursery rhymes, and playing with his drum gear.

Heather Sandy, the executive director for Lincolnshire 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.”

According to the Sun, the social worker was not suspended but had taken voluntary leave.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire police 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 9 January.

“Investigations have been carried out and the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.”

A representative for the East Midlands ambulance service said they received a call at 4.20 pm on January 9th reporting a medical emergency at a Skegness home.

“We sent a crewed ambulance and three paramedics in solo response cars,” he added.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli