Inquest date for toddler found with dead father

A four-week jury inquest into the death of a toddler who was discovered with his dead father is set to take place next year.

Two-year-old Bronson Battersby and his father, Kenneth Battersby, 60, were found at a property in Skegness on 9 January 2024.

A fourth pre-inquest review earlier at the Myle Cross Centre in Lincoln set an inquest date for early 2027, with a further pre-inquest review to finalise the documents set for 25 September this year.

Jayne Wilkes, area coroner for Greater Lincolnshire, said: "For all of us this is going to be a very intensive four weeks and every scrap of attention is going to be required."

At the opening of the inquest into the deaths in June 2024, coroner Paul Smith heard Bronson had died from dehydration and "appeared to be quite malnourished".

The inquest was originally due to take place at the end of September and start of October this year, but has been pushed back due to operational reasons.

Bronson's sister and mother joined Friday's hybrid hearing remotely, as well as representatives from Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Wilkes gave a time extension until 31 July to conclude the timeline, which will be used in the inquest as evidence of the days leading up to Bronson's death.

"I think every effort should be made to ensure this inquest is concluded by the end of March at the very latest," Wilkes said.

Pre-inquest reviews are an administrative case management hearing to ensure that an inquest is managed effectively, efficiently and openly, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary states.

• 27 December 2023: A social worker "has contact" with Kenneth and a home visit is arranged

• 2 January 2024: The social worker arrives at the property but there is no response at the door. She tries to locate Bronson at other addresses and unable to find him, speaks to her manager and the police

• 4 January 2024: A second attempt at a home visit is made. Again, there is no response. The social worker informs police

• 9 January 2024: A third attempt is made and the social worker alerts Kenneth's landlady. Entry is gained and the bodies of both father and son are found

• 15 January 2024: County council notifies the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (CSPRP) of a serious incident that meets the criteria for rapid review

• 17 January 2024: Council confirms a review is under way and Lincolnshire Police says it has referred itself to the IOPC

• 20 February 2024: Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership announces an in-depth independent review supported by the CSPRP

• 6 June 2024: Inquest hears two-year-old Bronson died from dehydration. Hearing is adjourned until December

• 12 September 2024: IOPC confirms investigation into Lincolnshire Police has found "no indication" of a breach in police professional standards

• 28 November 2024: Pre-inquest review hears it was still not possible to establish when Bronson died

• 1 May 2026: A fourth pre-inquest review estimates the inquest will take four weeks and is set for early 2027

Source: Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police

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