Neighbour of dead two-year-old 'heard crying' days before on New Year's Eve

18 January 2024 , 10:12

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Bronson Battersby was tragically found dead curled up at the feet of his dad Kenneth (Image: Facebook)

A neighbour is "pretty sure" she heard tragic Bronson Battersby crying through the walls of her flat days before he was found dead.

The two-year-old boy was discovered lifeless curled up next to his father Kenneth, who had died of a heart attack, on January 9 in their basement flat in Skegness, Lincolnshire. The toddler is believed to have starved to death, having not been looked after in the time since his father died - alleged to have been two weeks.

During that period, a neighbour claims she heard Bronson crying. The exact circumstances of his death will now be investigated, though Lincolnshire Police has referred itself to the independent watchdog.

"A neighbour has told me tonight that she is pretty sure that she heard Bronson crying through the walls of her flat on New Year's Eve," Stacey Foster, ITV News' Social Affairs Correspondent, said last night. She told the programme the family was known to social services and Lincolnshire Police was contacted on two separate occasions by a Lincolnshire County Council social worker, who got no answer when they tried knocking on the door of Mr Battersby’s home.

(Lincolnshire Live/MEN Media)

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.”

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The initial post-mortem examination results are reported to have been given to Bronson's mum. It is thought the toddler starved to death after his dad had a heart attack. 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 at Lincolnshire County Council, 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.”

Bradley Jolly