Two charged with preventing lawful burial after child’s body found at home

Officers attended an address after social services raised concerns for the welfare of a child

James Thorpe, 32, and Sophie Dean, 31, appeared in court on Monday accused of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body.

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

Sarah Hooper | Live News Reporter Published August 10, 2026 10:42pm Updated August 10, 2026 10:42pm The child was discovered in a home in Essex (Picture: Shutterstock) A man and a woman have been charged with preventing lawful burial after the body of a child was discovered at an address in Southend, Essex. Officers at

A 31-YEAR-OLD man and a woman, aged 32, have been charged with preventing a lawful burial after a child's body was found at a house. Cops discovered the body at a property in Southend, Essex, on August 7, following a welfare concern raised by social services. Sophie Dean, 31, of Coates House, Kenway, Southend, and Jame