Bronson Battersby’s sister does not blame social services for his death

Melanie Battersby – the sister of two-year-old Bronson Battersby – has said she doesn’t blame social services for his tragic death. 

Bronson was found dead in a Skegness property on January 9. It’s believed he starved to death after his father had a heart attack and died at the same property. 

Speaking to the BBC, Melanie Battersby shared her belief that “social services and the police did what they could within the powers that they had.” Lincolnshire County Council has initiated a “rapid review” in response to the incident.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) also investigates possible “missed opportunities” in checking on the pair. Kenneth Battersby, 60, who cared for Bronson full time, had experienced poor health and a heart attack a few months before his passing.

The council reported that a social worker visited the property on January 2 for a scheduled check. After receiving no response, she consulted her manager and the police. She made subsequent visits on January 4 and 9, eventually alerting Battersby’s landlady for entry when there was no response on the third attempt.