Ladson Mother Charged After Toddlers Die of Starvation Amid Repeated Welfare Checks
Justine May, 31, has been charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse after her two daughters, Emory and Harlow Deacon, were found dead in their Ladson, South Carolina home. The children, aged 2 and 15 months, died from starvation and dehydration. May told investigators she was in a 'blur' for two weeks and could not recall feeding or hydrating the girls. Authorities had visited the residence 13 times since August 10, including welfare checks and mental health interventions, but reported no immediate signs of concern until a neighbor reported May walking alone on September 29.
Key points
- Emory Deacon, 2, and Harlow Deacon, 15 months, died of starvation and dehydration due to neglect, according to Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal.
- Justine May, the children’s mother and sole caregiver, was arrested and is being held without bond at the Al Cannon Detention Center.
- May told detectives she spent the previous two weeks in a 'blur' and could not remember the last time she fed or gave water to her daughters.
- The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office responded to 21 calls and made 13 visits to the Pinewood Drive residence between August 10 and September 29.
- A 911 call on September 29 from a neighbor who noticed May walking without her children prompted the final welfare check that discovered the bodies.
- May’s next court appearances are scheduled for November 20, 2026, and March 19, 2027.
Background
This case follows a pattern of tragic outcomes during welfare checks, such as the recent deaths in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. In Ladson, authorities had previously coordinated with the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the Department of Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit, but no immediate welfare concerns were documented during prior visits.
How outlets are covering it
While WCSC and Live 5 News focus on the criminal charges against May and the details of the 911 call, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office released a statement defending its response. The sheriff’s office emphasized that deputies followed protocol and that prior visits did not reveal immediate signs of concern, contrasting with the public scrutiny over the 13 visits. WCIV highlights May’s affidavit statements regarding her inability to recall feeding the children, framing the narrative around her mental state and neglect.
Why it matters
The case highlights the challenges and failures in child welfare systems, specifically the gap between repeated welfare checks and the detection of severe neglect. It raises questions about the effectiveness of mental health interventions and the criteria used to determine immediate welfare concerns during police and social services visits.
What to watch
Justine May will face her initial and second court appearances on November 20, 2026, and March 19, 2027. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has stated it will continue to support its deputies and maintain professional standards, while the legal process against May proceeds.
- 911 call reveals concerns about well-being of 2 children found dead from starvation at home WECT | TV6
- Documents: Ladson mother was in a ‘blur’ for 2 weeks before children’s deaths Live 5 News
- Affidavits: Justine May 'did not remember' the last time she fed her kids WCIV
- 911 Call leads deputies to Ladson home where two children found dead WCBD News 2
- Frantic Texts, Emails Reveal Relatives Begging Mom to Let Them See 2 Kids Before They Were Found Slain People.com
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