Mum of boy, 2, found dead next to dad’s body over Christmas slams decision to clear cops

THE mum of a tragic Bronson Battersby last night blasted a decision to clear cops of failing to save the tot.

The starving two-year-old was found dead at the feet of his dad Kenneth, 60, who passed away from natural causes in their Skegness home.

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Sarah Piesse, the mum of Bronson Battersby, blasted a decision to clear cops of failing to save the totCredit: Facebook
Bronson was found dead at the feet of his dad Kenneth, who passed away from natural causes in their Skegness home

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Bronson was found dead at the feet of his dad Kenneth, who passed away from natural causes in their Skegness homeCredit: Facebook

The Sun revealed social workers and cops had failed to force their way into the flat after failing to set eyes on Bronson for an appointment.

But police watchdog the IOPC has now said Lincolnshire Police hold no blame over the death – infuriating Bronson’s heartbroken mum.

Sarah Piesse, 43, claimed she had not been told about the decision – and was instead blindsided by the finding – a day after what would have been Bronson’s third birthday.

The mum fumed: “How can I be hearing this now? I am in pieces. It was his birthday yesterday and I haven’t been able to leave the house.

READ MORE ON BRONSON BATTERSBY

“It isn’t their fault? They should have banged down that door. They could have saved him.”

The mum also told of her fears no-one would be held to account over Bronson’s death – predicting agencies would all point the finger at one another.

Sarah blasted: “The social services will say the same. It will be no one’s fault.

“No one will be to blame for the fact he died despite being under their protection.

‘I thought he was safe’

“He was supposed to be checked on all the time. That was the agreement with the child services.

“I thought he was safe. I never thought he would starve to death and now no-one is going to accept he was failed.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct yesterday announced it had found no evidence officers “breached police professional standards”.

It means cops involved with family at the time will likely face full exoneration – although an inquest is still to take place.

Regional Director for the IOPC, Derrick Campbell, added: “This is a harrowing case, and our sympathies go out to everyone affected by the sad deaths of Bronson and Kenneth.

“It was appropriate we carried out a thorough investigation into the relevant contact between police and social services.

“At the end of our six-month investigation, we have concluded that there was no indication any Lincolnshire Police officer or member of staff may have breached police professional standards.

I never thought he would starve to death and now no-one is going to accept he was failed.

Sarah Piesse

“We have shared our report with Lincolnshire Police and the coroner to help inform future inquest proceedings.

“We have recently met with the families involved to explain our findings.

“We have also advised the local child safeguarding practice review. In order not to prejudice the future inquests, we won’t be in a position to issue our full findings until they are held.”

At the time of the tragedy, it was revealed the family was known to children’s services and the local authority confirmed a social worker “had contact” with Kenneth on December 27 – arranging a home visit for January 2.

Police were contacted after that appointment was missed. The social worker also tried to make contact on January 4, and followed it up again five days later.

Bronson was eventually found dead on January 9 – a full week after a social worker failed to see him for the pre-arranged appointment and let police know.

A post mortem found he died from dehydration.

A local child safeguarding review ordered by the council is still ongoing – despite bosses at the time ordering an urgent turn around on the case.