The UK's police watchdog will investigate whether there were any "missed opportunities" by officers prior to the deaths of two-year-old Bronson Battersby and his father Kenneth in eastern England.
The toddler was found dead next to the body of his 60-year-old father, who had suffered a fatal heart attack at his flat in Skegness, Lincolnshire.
Lincolnshire Police was contacted on two separate occasions by a Lincolnshire County Council social worker who got no answer when they tried knocking on the door of Mr Battersby's home to see them.
A spokesman for the county council confirmed the social worker communicated with Mr Battersby on 27 December and arranged to visit them on 2 January, but there was no response when they arrived at the door.
The social worker "made inquiries at other addresses where the child could be" and contacted the police.
A second unannounced visit on 4 January also went unanswered, and Lincolnshire Police were contacted again.
Days later on 9 January, the social worker was let into the property by the landlord, where Mr Battersby and his son were found dead.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed today that Lincolnshire Police's actions before Mr Battersby and his son were found would be the subject of an investigation.
Statement following the deaths of Kenneth and Bronson Battersby
— Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) (@policeconduct) January 18, 2024
We have decided to independently investigate the involvement of Lincolnshire Police prior to the deaths of Kenneth and Bronson Battersby in #Skegness.
▶️https://t.co/87HCg8WG2P pic.twitter.com/Ij6m4EUloR
Regional director for the IOPC, Derrick Campbell, said: "The harrowing circumstances in which Kenneth and Bronson Battersby died are truly shocking. Our sympathies go out to everyone affected by their sad deaths.
"It is appropriate we carry out an independent investigation to consider the police response to any prior welfare concerns that were raised.
"We will be examining whether there were any missed opportunities by police to check on Mr Battersby and Bronson sooner.
"We will be in contact with Bronson's mother and Mr Battersby's family in due course to explain our role and how our investigation will progress."
Snacks moved up higher - mother
Bronson's mother, Sarah Piesse, 43, who did not live with him, told The Sun she was "haunted" by the vision of her little boy desperately searching for food or water after his father died.
She said: "Kenny moved all the snacks higher up so he couldn't get to them without asking.
"Now all I can think of in my head is him, starving, reaching up and trying to get them. I can't bear it."
Matt Warman, Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness, said the news of Bronson's death has "saddened" many people, particularly in the seaside town where they lived, a place that has "immense community spirit".
Authorities will now be wondering "what could have been done differently", he said, as he urged those involved to conclude their investigations into Bronson's death "as rapidly as possible".
He said in a statement to the PA news agency: "The tragic news of the death of Bronson Battersby in Skegness has shocked the nation.
"No child, not least one already known to the authorities, should die as he did in this country in 2024.
"My thoughts are with his mother and his family at what I can only imagine is an impossibly difficult time.
"It appears that social services and the police were involved, but Bronson's death, following his father Kenneth's heart attack, should make everyone consider what could have been done differently.
"This tragedy also underlines the importance of neighbourhoods, Skegness is a place of immense community spirit, and I know how saddened many local people will be.
Lincolnshire County Council confirmed the social worker who tried to visit Mr Battersby and Bronson has not been suspended, but has taken time off following their "traumatic experience".
Inquests into the deaths of Mr Battersby and Bronson have not yet been opened, Lincolnshire Coroner's Court said this morning.
