Boy, 2, who died from dehydration ‘likely would have survived if dad didn’t suffer fatal heart attack over Christmas’
A TODDLER who died from dehydration “likely” would have survived if his dad had not suffered a fatal heart attack, an inquest heard.
Bronson Battersby was found curled up at the legs of dad Kenneth, 60, over Christmas in Skegness, Lincolnshire.
Tragically, the two-year-old was under the care of children’s services but the pair were only found two weeks after they were last seen.
A pre-inquest review heard there is a “likelihood” Bronson would have survived had his dad not passed away.
Coroner Jayne Wilkes said: “At present, we do not have any clear factual basis as to when Bronson passed away.
“He was of course pronounced deceased on January 9, but that is not, on the information we have been provided so far, likely to be the day he died.
“We may never have sufficient information on when Kenny or Bronson passed away and Kenny’s death is clearly important as a supporting or overlapping feature we also need to investigate.”
A previous hearing was told Bronson had been sent to live with his dad Kenneth after his parents split in the summer of 2022.
Police said the pair were discovered after a “concerned” neighbour reported a smell coming from the flat.
Officers discovered Kenneth’s body behind the living room door, while Bronson was found between his dad’s legs.
A cause of death for the toddler was given as dehydration, while Kenneth suffered a “sudden cardiac event” because of underlying heart disease.
The court heard there had been “limited food in the fridge” and other food items in the freezer were “obviously of no use to Bronson”.
Ms Wilkes said a timeline of the deaths still needs to be created, with selfies taken by Bronson on December 31 and information on Kenneth’s financial accounts still outstanding.
The court was also told a witness heard the dad shouting at Bronson on the evening of December 31.
It previously emerged Bronson had been classified as vulnerable by officials, which meant he received weekly visits.
On January 2, a social worker visited his home in Skegness, Lincolnshire, but nobody answered the door so they alerted the police.
They tried again two days later but contacted officers for a second time after getting no answer.
Eventually – after five more days – the social worker got a key from Kenneth’s landlord and made the horrific discovery.
The pair were last seen alive on Boxing Day before Kenneth died of a heart attack soon after.
This means Bronson was left in the dark with no food or water and unable to get help.
Bronson’s mum Sarah Piesse previously said her son would still be alive “if social services had done their job”.
She added: “We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.”
Heather Sandy, executive director for children’s services, said at the time: “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.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found no indication Lincolnshire Police breached professional standards.
A full inquest has been set for autumn next year.