A WOMAN is under arrest in hospital after a child's body was discovered at a house in New Ash Green.

Police were called to an address in Knights Croft just before 5.30am yesterday (December 2).

Neighbours have named the victim as James Taylor who lived with his mother Jenny.

It is thought James was about 12 years old and that he attended Wilmington Grammar School for Boys.

Headteacher of the school, Fiona Cottam, said: "Yesterday we were told of the tragic death of one of our Year 7 students."

She added: "He only joined the school a few weeks ago but had settled in well, making new friends and showing great academic promise.

"As a school community we will come to terms with his loss over the weeks and months ahead."

The death of the child is being treated as unexplained.

Kent police's Chief Inspector Gill Ellis said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the young boy who has so tragically died.

"A woman has been arrested in connection with the incident and she is currently in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

"The investigation is now on-going and neighbourhood officers have been in the area conducting house-to-house inquiries and talking to local residents."

Neighbour Jan Hadfield, has lived in Kings Croft for 24 years, she said: “James was a vibrant 12-year-old who was full of fun.

“He was never in trouble and was always very polite.

“We are all devastated by the news.”

She added: “She was a mother who couldn’t live without her son.

“She brought him up alone and she had a special bond with him.”

Mrs Hadfield said the news had come as a shock to residents of the quiet residential estate, particularly because James and his mother were so “quiet” and “unassuming”.

Neighbours had no reason to suspect there was any trouble in the house, where the mother and her son had lived for about six years.

Jean Topp, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, said: “Jenny was a lovely person and idolised her boy.

“She was always with him and took him to school.

“They were a one-parent family and she looked after him so well.”

She added: “We are a close community and we are all here for anyone who needs help.

“But we didn’t have a clue that there was a problem. They seemed happy when I last saw them out.

“I hope that it was an accident and that it was nothing more.”

Police were called to the house at 5.30am yesterday (December 2) after receiving a call from somebody, believed to be James’s mother.

It is believed the boy’s body was found in the bath.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "My wife heard a loud scream and shout at around 5.30am.

"I later came out to 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 neighbour he added: "She kept herself to herself.

"He was a lovely boy of about 12, always playing outside on the trampoline or kicking a ball about, a nice polite boy."

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