Charleston Sheriff Backs Deputy in Toddlers' Starvation Death Case

Key points

• Sheriff Carl Ritchie issued a statement on Oct. 3 supporting a deputy who told dispatchers the agency would not conduct further welfare checks at the Pinewood Drive residence.
• The Charleston County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) confirmed 21 calls and 13 visits to the home between Aug. 10 and Sept. 29, 2026, but reported no immediate welfare concerns during prior visits.
• On Sept. 29, deputies and a Department of Social Services (DSS) worker entered the home and found Emory (33 months) and Harlow (15 months) dead; the coroner ruled the cause of death as starvation and dehydration.
• Justine May, 31, was arrested and charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse; she told investigators she could not remember feeding her children and described the prior two weeks as a 'blur.'
• Rep. Nancy Mace called for an independent investigation outside of the CCSO and DSS, citing the 13 prior visits and potential systemic failures in handling vulnerable children.

Background

This incident follows earlier local coverage of the initial charges against May on Sept. 30 and the release of arrest affidavits on Oct. 2. The case has drawn attention to the CCSO's handling of repeated welfare calls, contrasting with other high-profile welfare check failures such as the recent case in Los Angeles.

How outlets are covering it

The Post and Courier highlighted the internal conflict, noting a deputy told dispatchers the agency was 'no longer conducting welfare checks' before other officers responded. Fox News emphasized May's admission of neglect and the 'extreme indifference' alleged in the affidavits. Live 5 News focused on Rep. Mace's demand for an outside investigation, arguing the CCSO and DSS cannot judge their own performance. ABC News 4 reported the Sheriff's formal defense, stating the deputy acted within established policies and that the record shows extensive, not absent, responses.

Why it matters

The case highlights critical gaps in child welfare protocols and inter-agency coordination. The public scrutiny over the CCSO's response, combined with calls for state-level policy changes, may lead to revised standards for handling repeated welfare calls and mental health interventions in South Carolina.

What to watch

The CCSO Office of Professional Standards is conducting an internal review, while the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's Special Victims Unit assists the investigation. May remains in custody pending a court appearance on Nov. 20. Rep. Mace's office is working to connect the family with federal services and may push for legislative changes regarding DSS case management.