Police watchdog clears officers in Bronson Battersby deaths in Skegness

An investigation into the tragic deaths of Bronson Battersby, a two-year-old boy, and his father, Kenneth Battersby, was conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after Lincolnshire Police referred itself. The bodies were discovered on January 9, 2024, at their home in Skegness. The IOPC's six-month investigation found no evidence of police misconduct or breach of professional standards, despite the family's prior contact with social services. The timeline of events revealed that a social worker had arranged a home visit for January 2, 2024, but when no response was received, further attempts were made to contact the family. The social worker's efforts included reaching out to the police and the landlady, ultimately leading to the discovery of the bodies. The inquest revealed that Bronson had died from dehydration and appeared malnourished, raising concerns about the family's welfare. In response to the incident, a rapid review was initiated by Lincolnshire County Council, which confirmed that the family was known to children's services. The local authority's involvement included attempts to ensure the family's safety, but the missed appointments raised questions about the effectiveness of the safeguarding measures in place. The IOPC's findings were shared with Lincolnshire Police and the coroner to inform future inquest proceedings. The investigation's conclusion emphasized the need for continued scrutiny of child safeguarding practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.