Bronson Battersby's sister ‘does not blame social services’ after two-year-old boy found starved to death

19 January 2024, 08:27 | Updated: 19 January 2024, 08:29

Tragic Bronson Battersby starved to death curled up at the body of his dead father
Tragic Bronson Battersby starved to death curled up at the body of his dead father. Picture: Social Media

By Asher McShane

The sister of tragic Bronson Battersby has said she does not blame social services over the two-year-old’s death.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Bronson was found dead at his father’s legs on January 9. He is believed to have starved to death after his father, 60, suffered a fatal heart attack.

His adult sister, Melanie, 37, who has the same father as Bronson but a different mother, said she thinks “social services and the police did what they could with the powers they had.”

Had social services been told about her father’s health issues after they were first unable to contact him it “could have been a different outcome for my baby brother.”

“I don’t place any blame at all on them,” she told the BBC.

Read more: Burglars broke into home of tragic Bronson Battersby hours after bodies were discovered, landlady reveals

Read more: 'Neighbours should be checking in on each other more', local MP says, after Bronson Battersby tragedy

Bronson's body was found in the Skegness flat on January 9
Bronson's body was found in the Skegness flat on January 9. Picture: Social Media

“I believe that social services and the police did what they could within the powers that they had and the information that they were given.”

"Every time I saw him he was happy, he was smiling, he learned to walk, he was learning to speak," she said. "We're devastated as a whole family."

Lincolnshire County Council has said a “rapid review” will be carried out.

Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is also investigating.

Bronson’s father Kenneth Battersby was in poor health but looked after the child full time.

Bronson and his father Kenneth died at some point after December 27
Bronson and his father Kenneth died at some point after December 27. Picture: Social Media

A social worker called at the property for a scheduled visit on 2 January and after getting no response at the door, spoke to her manager and the police.

She came back on January 4 and contacted police again. On January 9 she came back and gained access with the landlady where they found the pair dead inside.

It is believed that Mr Battersby died about a week before their bodies were found and that Bronson survived for two or three days after him.

"I was told that they were both found looking very peaceful," Ms Battersby said.

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.

"His last moments were spent alone and he must have been so thirsty and hungry. He will have been crying. He will have been so confused. And Kenny was there on the floor. I can only pray he thought his dad was asleep."

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".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

After she was arrested she told detectives the stabbing was “punishment”.

Al Qaida-inspired student who stabbed MP could walk free from prison

Bank Of England In The City Of London

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April following Trump Tariffs hit - as Reeves brands figures 'disappointing'

Elderly women watching TV in outpatient clinic waiting room in NHS hospital. UK

NHS should ‘tear up the outpatient model’, health service chief executive says

Brian Wilson passed away aged 82.

Surviving Beach Boys pay tribute to songwriter ‘genius’ Brian Wilson

Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Controversial aid distributer accuses Hamas of carrying out attack on bus transporting Palestinians

A net balance of 28% of professionals reported seeing the number of sales agreed falling. Sales volumes are generally expected to flatten out rather than fall in the three months ahead, the survey indicated.

House sales tipped to bounce back with 'strongest outlook' since February - but buyer interest still slipping

Supporters of Dignity in Dying celebrate on hearing the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

UK doctor says helping patients die in Australia is a ‘tremendous privilege’ and calls for law change at home

The body of Yair Yaakov, 59, has reportedly been recovered.

Two more hostages recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, Netanyahu says

There were reports of vehicles being damaged and burned out, stolen cars, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers amid the disorder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Girl, 16, charged with assaulting an emergency worker in Salford after ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police

The affected products include the Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, “Misfits” Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, the FSA said.

'Don't eat them': Brits told to avoid popular American sweets linked to cancer amid 'toxicological concern'

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

Exclusive
Caz Holbrook, 54, said 2023 was a "very stressful" year after her landlord evicted her and her 15-year-old son from their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

I was evicted after Liz Truss's budget tanked the economy – my son and I ended up in a beetle-infested flat

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation