South Carolina Mom Charged After Daughters Found Dead, Family Feared Copycat

A South Carolina mother faces homicide by child abuse charges after her two young daughters were found dead in their home. Justine Marie May, 31, told investigators she could not recall the last time she fed or gave the children, 1-year-old Harlow and 2-year-old Emory Deacon, anything to drink.

Investigators responded to a welfare call at May's home in Ladson, near Charleston, on Tuesday. According to an affidavit obtained by WCIV, May described the past two weeks as a "blur" and admitted to neglecting the girls.

In emails sent in early September, May's relatives expressed concerns about her mental well-being, referencing the ongoing trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children in Massachusetts. One family member wrote, "Lindsay Clancy is on trial right now for killing her 3 children!" and "Would Justine do this? No. Would this dark entity that is behind Justine’s eyes do this? This haunts my worst nightmares."

May had reportedly posted screenshots of messages with the girls' father, Zachary Deacon, on her Facebook page in the weeks leading up to the children's deaths. In one text, Deacon wrote, "This is not harassment. I am genuinely terrified for the kids. Are you going to hurt one of the kids to get back at me?"

On September 9, May posted on Facebook about persistent welfare checks at her home, reportedly due to calls from Deacon. "Of course, they found absolutely nothing wrong because I am an amazing mom," she wrote. In a September 13 post, responding to a family member's concerns about the children and her social media activity, May stated, "I am perfectly capable of deciding who is best for my children. And they are having the time of their life wit [sic] people who have always wanted to be around them wit [sic] me begging for it."

When deputies arrived on Tuesday, May emerged from the house "and began crying and speaking incoherently," according to the affidavit. The bodies of Harlow and Emory were found inside the home and were "obviously deceased." The affidavit states May "unequivocally demonstrated an extreme indifference for human life in that she failed to provide both of her own children, according to her, with the basic sustenance to maintain life thus being a main contributor to their death."

The causes of death for Harlow and Emory were determined to be starvation and dehydration due to neglect. Their father's attorney, Gedney M. Howe IV, told Live 5 News, "We believe these deaths could and should have been prevented. Neighbors, friends, and family all called trying to get help for these girls, and no one listened. Zack was sounding the alarm and was arrested for it."

Authorities confirmed that deputies had made contact with May and the children on two separate occasions in August and three times in September, noting no obvious signs of concern during those visits. The last visit to the property while the children were alive was on September 20.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards is conducting an internal review of its response to the situation. The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division’s Special Victims Unit and the Department of Child Fatalities are assisting with the investigation.

May waived her right to a bond hearing and remains in custody at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 20.