Overview
- Police attended an address in Kenway on August 7 after social services raised welfare concerns and discovered the body of a child.
- Sophie Dean, 31, and James Thorpe, 32, have been charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body for an alleged period between July 3, 2025 and August 6, 2026.
- Thorpe faces an additional charge of obstruction of a constable in the execution of their duty while both defendants were remanded at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court.
- Essex Police have not released the child's identity and say the time and cause of death remain unconfirmed as forensic and criminal inquiries continue.
- Officers have appealed for the public to provide information to support the probe, asking people to quote investigation number 42/125225/26 when coming forward.