How could little Bronson Battersby have died, left for days next to his father's lifeless body? The two-year-old's death shocked the UK and raised questions about possible failings by police or social services.
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The baby's body was discovered on January 9 next to that of his father Kenneth, 60, in their home in Skegness, a seaside resort in northern England. He had last been seen two weeks earlier by one of his neighbors.
According to British newspapers, Kenneth Battersby died of a heart attack a few days after Christmas, leaving the little boy alone with no access to water or food.
Sarah Piesse, the mother of this blonde baby whose photo made the rounds in the media, claimed her son starved to death and blamed Lincolnshire County Social Services.
“If they had done their job, Bronson would still be alive,” she charged in an interview with The Sun tabloid, adding that Kenneth Battersby would have died around December 29th.
The baby's mother, who did not live with him and had not seen him since November, said she was “haunted” by the thought that her son was desperate for food after the death of his ex-partner “Kenny” and two others small children.
Little Bronson and his father were being monitored by local social services, whose last contact with Mr Battersby was on December 27th.
“We are currently reviewing the case with our partners to better understand the circumstances and we are also awaiting the results of the investigation carried out by the courts,” said Heather Sandy, the director of social services for the county of Lincolnshire.
“Horrible” circumstances
Social services said it notified police twice: first on Jan. 2, when a social worker went to the Battersbys' home to make an appointment but received no response.
After “looking for other addresses where the child could have been,” the social worker returned to their home two days later and, due to no signs of life, filed another report with the police.
Five days later, she allegedly finally picked up a key from the owner of the apartment, which she entered and discovered the bodies. This social worker, whose reaction is subject to evaluation, said goodbye after this “traumatic experience”.
British police were contacted on Thursday and confirmed they were conducting an investigation into possible failings by Lincolnshire officers.
“The appalling circumstances in which Kenneth and Bronson died are nothing short of shocking,” said Regional Director Derrick Campbell. “We will see if the police missed an opportunity to check on Mr Battersby and Bronson earlier.”
“This tragedy highlights the importance of neighborhood. Skegness is a place with real community spirit and I know how sad many residents will be,” commented Matt Warman, the town’s Conservative MP.
Bronson's half-sister Melanie Battersby tried to calm the situation Friday, saying police and social services had “done what they could” and were not to blame.
In an interview with the BBC, she said she was “satisfied” that local authorities were conducting an internal investigation before Bronson's death “to assess whether there were any errors or omissions.”
Melanie Battersby, 37, also said her father Kenneth had suffered a heart attack a few months before his death.
The latter “adored” Bronson and “did his best for that little boy until his last breath,” she said.