Newly released affidavits say Justine May told law enforcement she did not remember the last time she fed her two daughters, or gave them anything to drink, before they were found dead in a home on Pinewood Drive in Ladson.
May is charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse. Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal identified the children as Emory Deacon, 33 months old, and Harlow Deacon, 15 months old. The coroner's office said both girls died from starvation and dehydration due to neglect.
The details matter because the case had already drawn scrutiny for what officials did, and did not, see before the deaths. Deputies and partner agencies had contact with May and the children on Aug. 25, Aug. 26, Sept. 8, Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, and officials reported no signs of concern during those visits. The sheriff's office said its most recent contact at the home came on Sept. 20 and involved May alone. By Sept. 29, deputies were back on Pinewood Drive for a welfare check.
That check ended with the children being found obviously deceased at the scene. People who knew May had called 911 that morning after seeing her walking down the road without her children at about 10:57 a.m., with one caller asking that deputies at least lay eyes on them. Law enforcement later said May was crying outside the home and speaking incoherently.
May's own account adds a grim layer to the record. She told law enforcement the last two weeks were a blur, said she was aware that not feeding her children was neglectful, and said she did not remember providing them anything to drink during that period. The case also shows how little the earlier contacts appear to have revealed, even as the home drew repeated visits and calls after Aug. 10.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's Special Victims Unit Department of Child Fatalities is assisting the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. May waived her bond hearing and remains in custody. Her first court appearance is scheduled for late November, when the public record will show whether investigators can explain what changed between those earlier visits and the morning deputies found Emory Deacon and Harlow Deacon dead.
