Tragic Discovery of South Carolina Toddlers
Recent bodycam footage has surfaced showing two South Carolina toddlers appeared to be well just weeks before they were found dead from starvation in their home.
Their mother, Justine May, aged 31, was arrested on September 29 and faces homicide charges regarding the deaths of Harlow Deacon, 15 months old, and Emory Deacon, 2 years old, as reported.
In the footage from August 30, May greets officers at her door, asking, “How can I help you?” and then insists, “No one can come in.”
When the police requested her to step outside, she visibly grew agitated, questioning their reasoning.
Officers inquired if she was experiencing any distressing thoughts or considering harming anyone. May avoided these questions and instead accused her ex-fiancé of fabricating stories about her mental health.
When pressed for further information, her response was, “I don’t want to tell it.”
At one point, while cradling one of her children, she described her ex and her mother as “crazy” for repeatedly calling the authorities.
The welfare check was initiated after no one, including the children’s father, had seen them for a week.
A social worker, present at the scene, informed May that her “mental health has apparently declined” since her break-up with Deacon. May rejected this assessment, characterizing Deacon’s behavior as erratic during his visits.
Interestingly, the footage showcased a tidy and organized home.
Despite 13 previous welfare checks from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office that reported no visible signs of danger, the children’s shocking neglect led to dire consequences.
The last check occurred on September 20, just days prior to the children’s bodies being discovered in the home.
According to Sheriff Carl Ritchie, the decision to halt additional welfare checks was made by a supervisor, based on the cumulative information at that time and the lack of new information suggesting an immediate risk to May or her children.
May reportedly told police that she had been in a “blur” for several weeks and could not recall when she last fed her children.
The sheriff’s office is now reviewing the bodycam footage to assess the children’s condition in the days leading up to their deaths.
Meanwhile, Zack Deacon has engaged legal representation to look into police actions and any possible failures in their response.
“Emory and Harlow deserve the truth,” said their lawyer, Gedney Howe. “Their father deserves to see the file, not to learn about the case on the news.”
