Police cleared following investigation into death of two-year-old Bronson Battersby after he was found next to dad’s body
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Family Handout
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said there was 'no indication' of police misconduct following an investigation into the death of two-year-old Bronson Battersby.
The young boy's lifeless body was found alongside that of his 60-year-old dad Kenneth in Skegness, Lincolnshire, on 9 January.
A week prior, a social worker had visited the rental home which was a regular occurrence due to the pair both being considered vulnerable.
Advert
After getting no answer at the door, she became concerned and raised the issue with police.
Then, after another two days, the social worker tried once again knocking on Kenneth's door but received the same muted response which prompted her to call the police once again.
It was only after five days that the woman was able to receive a key from the landlord and check on the father and son herself, according to reports.
It was then that the social worker discovered both Kenneth and Bronson's lifeless bodies.
A report release later ruled that the loving father had died from a heart attack no earlier than 29 December.
The post-mortem also recorded that toddler Bronson had died of dehydration, and a friend of the family later told press that he was found 'curled up at Kenneth's legs'.
Bronson's mother, who was living with his two siblings after she and Kenneth separated in summer 2022, later said little Bronson would have been 'two inches too small to reach the fridge'.
Senior coroner, Paul Smith, said a 'thorough and sensitive investigation' into the two deaths would continue.
Lincolnshire Police previously said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious, but the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), with the watchdog confirming it would investigate.
Yesterday (12 September), the IOPC confirmed its investigation into Lincolnshire Police has found 'no indication' of a breach in police professional standards.
Derrick Campbell, the IOPC regional director, said a report had been shared with Lincolnshire Police and the coroner to 'inform future inquest proceedings'.
He said: "This is a harrowing case, and our sympathies go out to everyone affected by the sad deaths of Bronson and Kenneth.
"It was appropriate we carried out a thorough investigation into the relevant contact between police and social services."
Campbell concluded: "We have concluded that there was no indication any Lincolnshire Police officer or member of staff may have breached police professional standards."