Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREESee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:57 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 22:10 BST, 10 August 2026
A man and woman have been charged after a child's body was found at a home by police. James Thorpe, 32, and Sophie Dean, 31, appeared in court today accused of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body.Officers visited the property in Kenway, Southend, and discovered the body on August 7 after social services raised welfare concerns.The pair from Shoeburyness and Kenway were remanded in custody at Southend-on- Sea Magistrates' Court until their next hearing at Basildon Crown Court on September 7. Thorpe has also been charged with obstruction of a constable in the execution of their duty. Detectives from Essex Police's Crime and Public Protection Command are continuing to investigate the child's death.An Essex Police spokesperson added: 'We would also encourage anyone with information that could assist us and who has not yet spoken to us to please come forward and do so, quoting investigation number 42/125225/26.'This isn't the only child's body to be discovered at a property in recent months. The road in Kenway, Southend, where police visited after socials services raised concerns A police officer, pictured wearing a hi-vis vest, an ear piece and helmet, stands in the streetA 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after a three-year-old girl was found dead at a home in Chertsey, Surrey, in June.Officers found the body at the home while responding to a 'concern for safety'.A murder investigation was then launched by Surrey Police. The Senior Investigating Officer from the major crime team said: 'This is a tragic incident, and our officers are working hard to build a picture of what happened.'We have made an arrest in connection with this incident and at this stage, we are not looking to identify anyone else in connection with our investigation.
