The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MUMMY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
M
U
M
M
Y
More clues leading to the result MUMMY
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "One having child/body preserved" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one having child/body preserved = mummy.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MUMMY mean?
MUMMY noun- An embalmed human or animal corpse wrapped in linen bandages for burial, especially as practised by the ancient Egyptians and some Native American tribes.
- (by extension) A reanimated embalmed human corpse, as a typical character in horror films.
- (by extension) Any naturally preserved human or animal body.
- A brown pigment originally prepared from the ground-up remains of Egyptian animal or human mummies mixed with bitumen, etc.
- A pulp.
- A substance used in medicine, prepared from mummified flesh.
- A sort of wax used in grafting.
- To mummify.
- (usually childish) mother.