A South Carolina woman is charged with homicide by child abuse after deputies found her two young daughters dead inside her home.
Justine Marie May told detectives she had been “in a ‘blur’ for the past two weeks” leading up to the discovery of the girls’ bodies on Tuesday, September 29, according to an arrest affidavit provided to Us by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
May, 31, also said she “did not remember the last time” she fed the children, ages 1 and 2, or gave them something to drink, the affidavit states.
Deputies and a family case worker had visited a Ladson home in response to a requested welfare check Tuesday afternoon, when May walked outside “crying and speaking incoherently,” according to the affidavit.
They then went inside and found her daughters “obviously deceased,” the affidavit states.
Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal determined the toddlers died of starvation and dehydration, stemming from neglect, WCIV reported. The girls were identified as 33-month-old Emory Deacon and 15-month-old Harlow Deacon.
In a Thursday, October 1, statement, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie discussed the “senseless death” of May’s “two innocent children.”
Before their deaths, deputies had visited May’s home 13 separate times since August 10 in response to different phone calls, according to the sheriff.
“Contact was made with Justine May and the children on August 25, 2026, August 26, 2026, September 8, 2026, September 11, 2026, and September 12, 2026, during which deputies and other responding agencies observed no signs of concern,” the sheriff said.
While speaking with detectives, May said she believed her daughters starved to death because they hadn’t eaten, per the affidavit.
She “advised that she was aware that not feeding her children was neglectful and was the only one present at the home and the children’s sole caregiver over the last few weeks,” the affidavit states.
Her family appeared to express concern about her and her daughters before they died, according to Facebook posts May shared that showed screenshots of apparent arguments she had with relatives and friends, WCIV reported. May accused them of harassment and lying about her.
An email sent by one of May’s family members said they worried about May’s mental health and referenced the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts woman recently on trial for killing her three children. The case ended in a mistrial.
“Have you watched the news? Lindsay Clancy is on trial right now for killing her 3 children!” the relative wrote, according to the TV station. “Would Justine do this? No. Would this dark entity that is behind Justine’s eyes do this? This haunts my worst nightmares.”
Information on whether May had retained legal counsel wasn’t immediately listed in court records. Her initial appearance is set for November 20.
Jail records show May is currently in custody.
“The entire staff of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office extends their heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and community impacted by the deaths of the children and will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult time,” Ritchie said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
