Heartbreaking video shows toddler found dead with dad celebrating his birthday
A beaming smile on his face, Bronson Battersby can be seen celebrating his first birthday with a Teletubbies cake.
The happy footage was filmed just over a year before he was discovered starved to death beside the body of his dad, who'd sadly died from a heart attack days before.
Heartbreaking video has emerged of the toddler looking on in awe as he's gifted the cake, which featured a picture of himself as the sun from the beloved children's TV classic. Smiling from ear-to-ear, the boy watched on as his adoring family sang 'Happy Birthday' before his mother Sarah Piesse blew out the candle, prompting everyone to chant 'Hip hip hooray'.
The adorable video, taken on September 22 2022, came to light after Bronson was tragically found dead next to his father Kenneth at their Skegness home on January 9.
After a week of desperately struggling to contact the father, social services realised something was amiss. Eventually, the two bodies were discovered. Medical experts believe Kenneth suffered a heart attack, with Bronson dying in the next few days from starvation and dehydration.
'Gorgeous' boy, 2, dies of starvation alone lying next to his dead dad
In the build-up to Christmas, Sarah - who'd reportedly not been on great terms with Kenneth - laid eyes on her adoring son for the last time. The youngster spent December 25 with his dad, with a witness spotting the pair on Boxing Day.
The video showed Bronson and his mum Sarah
Bronson Battersby was a very happy child (Facebook)On January 2, a social worker attempted to visit the house for a routine visit. Upon failing to contact Kenneth, she raised the alarm to the police. Two days later, a second effort was made, without success, and once again, the police were alerted.
After five days, on January 9, the social worker retrieved a key from the landlord to enter the house herself. In a desperately sad discovery, her worst fears were realised as she found Bronson curled up at his dead father's knees in the dark, alongside his boxer dog, Skylar, who was harrowingly emaciated but still alive.
In an interview with The Sun, 43-year-old Sarah said: 'If social services had done their job, Bronson would still be alive. I can't believe it. They can't let them get away with this. We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.
Bronson Battersby tragically passed away next to his dad Kenneth (Facebook)
The footage was taken in September 2022"I've had the results of the post-mortem. Bronson starved to death because his dad died. They think Kenneth died no earlier than December 29. It means if the social worker had pushed to get in when she got no reply on January 2, then Bronson would still have been alive."
Equally devastated, Bronson's sister, Melanie Battersby, wrote: "Beautiful little boy deserved so much better than this life. We love you, Bronson, forever a part of us, and forever my baby brother." Understandably, her 'head and heart' are in 'pieces'. She added: "A lot of anger inside at the minute when I just want to remember his little smile and soft nature instead. He were perfect."
The tragic loss of Kenneth and Bronson has rocked the local community. A friend of the family remembered how much the toddler enjoyed watching the Cocomelon, singing nursery rhymes and playing with Little Tikes' drum kit. Distraught, with what had happened, the individual added that it's nothing short of devastating to imagine that the 'gorgeous' boy, who was 'always smiling and so loving' had been 'left in the dark and must have been terrified and so confused'.
One individual, scribed a heartfelt message on a bouquet of flowers, writing: "Kenny and Bronson, it's been a pleasure knowing you both. Going to miss the footy banter and Bronson going to miss your cheeky little smile. Can't believe you have both grew your angel wings. RIP."
A Lincolnshire County Council spokesperson confirmed to the Mirror that Kenneth and Bronson were discovered by a social worker and the property's landlady on January 9. They said it was "unlawful" for the social worker to otherwise gain entry, adding they are "devastated". The spokesperson said: "On Tuesday the 9th [the social worker] went round again to see Bronson. The landlady arrived with a key and went inside with the social worker where they found tragically two bodies, which is just awful and devastating for all involved."
A spokeswoman for Lincolnshire Police told the Mirror: "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 January 9. Investigations have been carried out and the deaths are not being treated as suspicious. The matter has been passed to the coroner’s office.”
Mum of tragic toddler unable to hold two-year-old found next to dead dad
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: “We can confirm that we have received a referral in relation to this matter from Lincolnshire Police and we are now assessing that to determine what further action is required from us.”
Heather Sandy, executive director for children’s services, said: “This was a tragic incident, and we are supporting the family at this difficult time. We are currently 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.”
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