Bodycam footage and FOIA records reveal conflicting accounts in Ladson toddler deaths

Key points

• Emory (2) and Harlow (15 months) Deacon died from starvation and dehydration, with coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal estimating they had been dead for three to five days before discovery.
• Justine May, 31, faces two counts of homicide by child abuse; she told officers she could not remember feeding the children in the prior two weeks.
• Bodycam footage from Aug. 30 and Sept. 12 shows a well-maintained home and May denying mental health issues, though she expressed frustration with family members.
• Sheriff Ritchie stated deputies made nine visits between Aug. 25 and Sept. 20, finding no immediate danger, and a supervisor decided to discontinue checks on Sept. 22.
• Attorney Gedney Howe IV is calling for an independent SLED investigation, arguing the sheriff's office mishandled welfare calls and arrested the father for harassment based on those same calls.

Background

This case follows earlier reports of May's arrest and charges in early October 2026. The girls' funeral was held on Oct. 8 in Moncks Corner, S.C. The tragedy has sparked broader debates in South Carolina regarding child welfare protocols and law enforcement response times.

How outlets are covering it

WCSC and the Post and Courier emphasize the bodycam footage showing a seemingly normal home environment and Ritchie's defense that deputies saw no signs of distress. FITSNews, however, highlights FOIA records suggesting a disconnect between individual visit findings and the broader pattern of welfare concerns, noting that the harassment charge against the father was partly based on his reporting these concerns. Ritchie defends the Sept. 22 decision to stop checks as based on a lack of new actionable information, while Howe argues this decision ignored cumulative evidence of neglect.

Why it matters

The case highlights critical gaps in how law enforcement agencies assess ongoing child welfare risks when individual visits show no immediate signs of distress. It raises questions about the balance between respecting parental rights and ensuring child safety, and the potential consequences of halting proactive welfare checks based on isolated assessments.

What to watch

Attorney Howe has requested an independent investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) into the Charleston County Sheriff's Office's conduct. Ritchie has not yet confirmed whether he will request this review or accept it from other authorities. May remains in custody without bond.