Mum of 2-year-old boy found starved to death says 'he was two inches too small to open fridge'
The mum of the two-year-old boy who was found starved to death earlier this month said 'he was two inches too small to open fridge'.
Bronson Battersby was found dehydrated and starved to death next to the body of his father, Kenneth, on 9 January.
The 60-year-old father is believed to have suffered a heart attack at his flat in Skegness some time after Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, the toddler was left in the dark for two weeks, unable to eat and drink.
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Lincolnshire Police said it was contacted by a Lincolnshire County Council social worker who got no answer when they tried knocking on the door of the home.
Mum Sarah also shared a daughter, three, and son, seven, with Kenneth.
The 43-year-old described her son as 'a typical, cheeky, little two-year-old'.
“He was always trying to get his favourite pink wafers," she told The Sun.
“And then when we said no more, he’d smile and shout, ‘Yeah! More, more, more!’
“Kenny moved all the snacks higher up so he couldn’t get to them without asking.
“Now 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.”
A spokesperson for the county council confirmed the social worker communicated with Mr Battersby on December 27 and arranged to visit on January 2.
The social worker then 'made inquiries at other addresses where the child could be' and contacted the police.
After a second unannounced visit on January 4 also went unanswered, Lincolnshire Police were said to have been contacted again.
Days later on January 9, the social worker was let into the property by the landlord, where Mr Battersby and his son were found dead.
She added: “It is haunting me. If I can fall asleep at all, it is only for a few hours. I jolt awake thinking of him wandering around alone, starving.
"He must have been so weak in the end that he decided to give up and hold on to his dad, hugging his legs. I will never forgive myself for not being there.
“When I picture him alone in that flat it makes me feel like a failure, cruel, selfish.
"That little boy was sitting there wanting a drink, wanting something to eat. It breaks my heart even more.
“I just don’t understand why the alarm wasn’t raised sooner. Why didn’t they do it? I am in a living nightmare and I am never going to wake up from it.”
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.”
In a statement, Lincolnshire Police confirmed it had made a referral to the IOPC (The Independent Office for Police Conduct).
It said: “The exact actions of organisations involved will be analysed in a forthcoming review and at this stage it would be inappropriate to comment further.
“As part of standard procedures we have referred this to the IOPC as a result of a death or serious injury following police involvement.”
The IOPC confirmed it had received a referral and is 'assessing that to determine what further action is required from us'.
LADbible Group contacted Lincolnshire Police and the Children's Commissioner for further comment.
Topics: UK News
Anish Vij