A voice note on Archie Battersbee’s mobile phone, from four days before he was found unconscious, told the youngster that his mother wanted him to be an abortion, an inquest heard. No images or videos of Archie taking part in online challenges or with items around his head or neck were found on his phone, a detective told his inquest.
Members of his family told the hearing in Chelmsford that they saw no signs of low mood and did not believe he would try to harm himself. The 12-year-old’s life support was withdrawn on August 6 2022 after his parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, failed in bids to overturn a High Court ruling that doctors could lawfully do so.
Judges were told Ms Dance found Archie unconscious with a ligature over his head at home in Southend, Essex, on April 7 last year. His mother believes he may have been taking part in a blackout challenge.
