Bronson Battersby, 2, found dead with dad died from dehydration, inquest reveals

An inquest has revealed that a toddler, discovered with his deceased father in Skegness, died from dehydration. Two-year-old Bronson Battersby and his father Kenneth were found on January 9.

Senior coroner Paul Smith, who opened the inquest in Lincoln, was informed that post the parents' separation in summer 2022, Bronson had been living with his father while his two siblings stayed with their mother.

Lincolnshire Police's Detective Inspector Claire Rimmer provided details to the coroner's court, outlining how police received a call from a "concerned" neighbour, who hadn't observed Kenneth for some time and noted an unusual odour emanating from the flat. Inside, Kenneth's body was discovered situated behind the door of the living room, with Bronson lying deceased between the legs of his father, reports Lincolnshire Live.

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Additionally, Tracy Cox, serving as coroner's officer, confirmed that Bronson's post-mortem took place at Leicestershire Royal Infirmary on January 11, verifying that dehydration was the cause of death.

Coroner Smith postponed the inquest until a tentative date of December 10, 2024, indicating that a "thorough and sensitive investigation" is underway regarding the fatalities. The Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership has also initiated a comprehensive, independent review that commenced in February and is expected to conclude in six months' time.

Residents in the town expressed their struggle to sleep at night following the news of Bronson's death. His mother, Sarah Piesse, described her life as a "living nightmare" since she was informed about the tragic demise of her son and former partner.