Two charged after body of child found in Southend home

Two charged after body of child found in Southend home Sophie Dean, 31, and James Thorpe, 32, have been charged with preventing a lawful and decent burial of a dead body after officers found the body of a child after welfare concerns Two people have been charged after the dead body of a child was discovered in a UK home. The discovery was made after reports from social services regarding welfare concerns. The body was found by police officers at an address in Kenway, Southend, on Thursday August 7. A man and woman have been charged with preventing the lawful burial of a dead body following an investigation by detectives from Essex's Crime and Public Protection Command. Sophie Dean, 31, of Coates House, Kenway, Southend and 32-year-old James Thorpe of Frobisher Way, Shoeburyness, have been charged with preventing a lawful and decent burial of a dead body between 3 July 2025 to 6 August 2026. Thorpe has also been charged with obstruction of a constable in the execution of their duty. The pair appeared at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 10 and were remanded in custody to next appear at Basildon Crown Court on September 7. The investigation into the child’s death will continue. Essex Police are encouraging anyone with information that could assist them and who has not yet spoken to them to please come forward and do so, quoting investigation number 42/125225/26