A man and woman have been charged after a child's body was found at a home.
James Thorpe, 32, and Sophie Dean, 31, appeared in court on Monday 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.
The road in Kenway, Southend, where police visited after socials services raised concerns
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.'