Marilyn Hawes, founder of Freedom of Abuse, says the police have to take some blame for the handling of Bronson Battersby.
Bronson Battersby, two, was found beside his dad Kenneth, 60, who had suffered a fatal heart attack at his flat in Skegness, The Sun newspaper reported.
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 Battersby’s home.
Speaking on GB News, Hawes said the case “raises questions”.
Marilyn Hawes spoke on GB News
“I think more sits in the lap of police failings”, she said.
“I feel sorry for the poor social worker who actually did call the police. She could have gone I suppose to the magistrates and got the right of access.
“There’s a lot of questions there.
“The whole thing is utterly tragic. And his trauma, seeing his father on the floor there, you try and sit in the mind of that little lad and it is heartbreaking.
“But whose head is going to roll?”
The boy’s mother Sarah Piesse, 43, told The Sun her son had starved to death after his father died and blamed social services for not doing more to help them.
Marilyn Hawes joined Ellie Costello and Stephen Dixon on GB News
GB NEWS
She said: “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.
“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.”
Heather Sandy, executive director for children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This was a tragic incident, and we are supporting the family at this difficult time.
“We are currently 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.”
In a statement, Lincolnshire Police confirmed they had made a referral to the IOPC.
They said: “The exact actions of organisations involved will be analysed in a forthcoming review and at this stage it would be inappropriate to comment further.
“As part of standard procedures we have referred this to the IOPC as a result of a death or serious injury following police involvement.”
The IOPC confirmed it had received a referral and is “assessing that to determine what further action is required from us”.
A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said earlier: “Police were made aware of the deaths of a 60-year-old man and a two-year-old child at a property in Prince Alfred Avenue, Skegness, at around 3.25pm on Tuesday, 9 January.
“Investigations have been carried out and the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.
“The matter has been passed to the coroner’s office.”
