Mother held as body of son found

The body of James Taylor was discovered on Tuesday morning

A mother who was arrested after the body of her son was found at a house in Kent is in a "critical but stable condition" in hospital.

Police found James Taylor, 11, after being called to a property in Knight's Croft, New Ash Green, on Tuesday.

A spokesman said the death was being treated as "suspicious" and they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Officers are at the scene and the property is currently cordoned off.

Ch Insp Gill Ellis said: "Emergency services were called to an address in Knight's Croft at 5.30am yesterday, where the body of a young boy was discovered.

He had settled in well, was making new friends, and was showing great academic promise Fiona Cottam

"A woman has been arrested and is in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

"There is an investigation ongoing."

She added: "We are doing house-to-house inquiries, but we are not doing a witness appeal and are not looking for anybody else in connection with this death.

"Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the young boy. Clearly this is a really tragic loss of life."

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I came out of the front of the house and all the forensic team were here wearing whites.

"I also saw the boy's body being carried out."

Referring to his neighbours he added: "She kept herself to herself. He was a lovely boy, always playing outside on the trampoline or kicking a ball about; a nice polite boy."

'Mourn his loss'

Officers are treating the death as suspicious

James was a pupil at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, where head teacher Fiona Cottam has released a statement to parents.

The statement said: "It is with immense sadness that I write to inform you of the tragic death of one our year seven students."

Mrs Cottam added: "He was a new pupil to the school. He had just started in year seven but he had settled in well, was making new friends, and was showing great academic promise."

The statement continued: "As a whole, the school community will mourn his loss in the weeks and months ahead."

She said there would be support and counselling available to pupils affected.

Kent Police said the coroner had been notified of the death.