The police watchdog's investigating if any 'missed opportunities' before Skegness deaths
Bronson Battersby's father is thought to have had a heart attack around Boxing Day - leaving the toddler to fend for himself
The police watchdog is going to investigate whether there were any "missed opportunities" by officers prior to the deaths of two-year-old Bronson Battersby and his father Kenneth in Skegness.
The toddler was found dead next to the body of his 60-year-old father, who it's thought had suffered a fatal heart attack at the flat they shared in the town, two weeks after they were last seen alive on Boxing Day by a neighbour.
It is believed that Kenneth died days later, leaving Bronson with no access to food or water at their home in Prince Alfred Avenue.
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.
The county council confirmed Bronson had been known to children's services and would typically be seen at least once a month by social workers.
A spokesman for the county council confirmed the social worker communicated with Mr Battersby on December 27 and arranged to visit them on January 2, 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 January 4 also went unanswered, and Lincolnshire Police was contacted again.
Days later on January 9, 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 on Thursday that Lincolnshire Police's actions before Mr Battersby and his son were found would be the subject of an investigation.
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."
Lincolnshire County Council is carrying out a "rapid review" of the case and the social worker involved has not been suspended, but is taking time off after their "traumatic experience".