A tragic toddler who was found in between his dead father’s legs passed away as a result of dehydration, an inquest has heard.

Two-year-old Bronson Battersby was discovered curled up in his Pudsey pyjamas next to his father, Kenneth, 60, on January 9, who is believed to have suffered a heart attack shortly after he was last seen alive on Boxing Day.

A social worker visited their home in Skegness, Lincolnshire, on January 2 for a routine visit but received no reply and contacted the police.

The worker visited again on January 4 but again there was no response, so they contacted the police that day.

Shockingly the bodies of Kenneth and Bronson – who was classed as vulnerable and was being checked on weekly – were not found until five days later, when the social worker herself used a key from the landlord to get into the home.

Bronson was found curled up in his Pudsey pyjamas next to his father who had a suspected fatal heart attack. An inquest was told that the toddler died of dehydration

Bronson is pictured sat with his father, Kenneth Battersby. The pair were last seen alive on Boxing Day by a neighbour

The toddler’s mother, Sarah Piesse, 43, last saw her son before Christmas after a row with her ex.

At the time of Bronson’s death, she said her life had been a ‘living nightmare’ since she was told that her son and former partner had died.

Residents in the town also said that the news of Bronson’s death had left them struggling to sleep at night.

The inquest, opened by senior coroner Paul Smith in Lincoln, heard how Bronson went to live with his father after his parents separated in the summer of 2022, while his two siblings lived with his mother.

Detective Inspector Claire Rimmer of Lincolnshire Police told the coroner’s court how police were called by a ‘concerned’ neighbour who hadn’t seen Kenneth for a while and reported a smell coming from the flat. 

Kenneth’s body was found behind the living room door and Bronson was found dead between his father’s legs.

The court also heard from coroner’s officer Tracy Cox, who confirmed that Bronson’s post-mortem examination took place at Leicestershire Royal Infirmary on January 11. The report confirmed Bronson died because of dehydration.

Mr Smith adjourned the inquest to a provisional date of December 10, noting that a ‘thorough and sensitive investigation’ is taking place into the two deaths. 

Bronson is pictured with his mother Sarah Piesse, who said her life had been a ‘living nightmare’ since she was told that her son and former partner had died

The Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership is undertaking an in-depth, independent review of the case, which began in February and is expected to take six months.

Ms Piesse previously told The Sun: ‘If social services had done their job Bronson would still be alive. But they didn’t do anything.

‘I can’t believe it. They can’t let them get away with this. We have to be able to rely on social workers to keep our children safe.’

‘I’ve had the results of the post mortem. Bronson starved to death because his dad died. They think Kenneth died no earlier than December 29.

‘It means if the social worker had pushed to get in when she got no reply on January 2 then Bronson would still have been alive.’

On Facebook, Bronson’s sister Melanie Battersby wrote at the time: ‘Beautiful little boy deserved so much better than this life. We love you Bronson, forever a part of us, and forever my baby brother.’

Adding her ‘head and heart’ were ‘in pieces’, she said: ‘A lot of anger inside at minute when I just want to remember his little smile and soft nature instead. He were perfect.’

A friend of the family said the toddler enjoyed watching Cocomelon, adored nursery rhymes and often played his Little Tikes drum kit. 

Sarah last saw Bronson after getting into an argument with Kenneth before Christmas

On Facebook, Bronson’s sister Melanie Battersby wrote: ‘Beautiful little boy deserved so much better than this life. We love you Bronson, forever a part of us, and forever my baby brother’

Bronson was last seen alive by his neighbour after they visited the house on Boxing Day. Kenneth then messaged the same neighbour saying: ‘Thanks so much for caring, it means the world to me and Bronson.’

The social worker who found the bodies of Bronson and Kenneth contacted police, who then rushed to the scene along with paramedics at around 3.25pm. The pair were pronounced dead at the scene.

Kenneth was unemployed and had a pre-existing heart condition which had caused him to become severely jaundiced in the months leading up to his death.

Bronson was also classified as vulnerable by social services, meaning that he received weekly visits from social workers.

The Sun said it understands the social worker has not been suspended but has voluntarily taken time off.

Heather Sandy, executive director for children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council, said in January: ‘This was a tragic incident, and we are supporting the family at this difficult time.

‘We are 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.’