FRANTIC TEXTS REVEAL FAMILY’S DESPERATE PLEAS TO SEE TWO LITTLE GIRLS BEFORE THEIR DEATHS

In the weeks before two young sisters were found dead inside their South Carolina home, relatives were desperately trying to reach their mother — asking to see the children, pleading for contact and urging her to get help.

Emory Deacon, 2, and her 15-month-old sister, Harlow Deacon, were found dead inside their home in Ladson, South Carolina, on September 29 during a welfare check.

Their mother, 31-year-old Justine May, has since been charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse.

Now, newly revealed texts, emails and social media screenshots are providing a heartbreaking glimpse into the family’s growing fears before the girls were found.

FAMILY MEMBERS WERE BEGGING TO SEE THE GIRLS

According to screenshots shared publicly by May, relatives had become increasingly concerned about the children as she became more isolated from her family.

In one message shared online, May’s mother said she had not seen Emory and Harlow since August 14.

She questioned why she had been prevented from seeing her grandchildren and urged May to reconsider cutting the family off from the girls.

In another email, May’s mother expressed fears about the children being isolated from their father, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

The messages show relatives repeatedly attempting to reach May and asking for an opportunity to see the children.

THE GIRLS’ FATHER ALSO PLEADED FOR HELP

Screenshots also included messages that May identified as being from the children’s father, Zack.

In those messages, he appeared to be deeply worried about May and their daughters.

He pleaded with her to seek help and told her that she was still the mother of Emory and Harlow.

The messages also show the complicated relationship between the adults, with May accusing relatives of harassing her and saying she wanted distance from them.

Those allegations and responses are part of the family’s account and do not by themselves establish what happened inside the home.

“PLEASE GET HELP”

One of the most striking parts of the messages was the father’s repeated request that May seek help.

He reportedly told her that she was “spiraling” and urged her to come back and get assistance.

May’s mother similarly described the family’s fears about what might happen to the girls if the isolation continued.

The messages were written before the children’s deaths and provide evidence of relatives’ concerns, but they do not establish that anyone knew exactly what was happening inside the home at that time.

AUTHORITIES HAD ALREADY VISITED THE HOME

The newly revealed family messages come alongside questions about multiple welfare checks at the residence.

According to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies had responded to the home 13 times in the weeks before Emory and Harlow were found.

The most recent previous welfare check took place on September 20.

Authorities said deputies observed no signs of concern during those earlier visits.

The girls were ultimately discovered nine days later.

A 911 CALL RAISED THE FINAL ALARM

On September 29, another call brought deputies back to the residence.

The caller told 911 that May had been walking around the neighborhood without the children and that nobody had seen the girls.

The caller reportedly told the dispatcher that May was acting differently and that it was unusual for her to be outside without her children.

When deputies arrived, May reportedly came outside crying and speaking incoherently.

Officers then entered the home to check on the girls.

They found Emory and Harlow inside.

CORONER RULES THE DEATHS HOMICIDES

The Charleston County coroner later identified the children as Emory Deacon, 2, and Harlow Deacon, 15 months.

The coroner determined that both girls died from starvation and dehydration caused by neglect, and classified the manner of death as homicide.

Police subsequently arrested their mother.

According to newly released affidavits, May allegedly told detectives that the previous two weeks had been a “blur” and that she could not remember the last time she had fed the girls or given them anything to drink.

Those statements are allegations contained in police documents and will be addressed through the criminal justice process.

THE FAMILY HAD BEEN TRYING TO REACH THEM

The messages now emerging have made the case even more painful for relatives.

They show a family attempting to reconnect with two little girls while expressing increasingly serious fears about their wellbeing.

May’s mother, the children’s father and other relatives appear to have repeatedly tried to communicate with her.

But according to the screenshots, May believed the family was interfering with her life and responded by pushing them further away.

That conflict left relatives increasingly worried about Emory and Harlow.

REMEMBERING EMORY AND HARLOW

Away from the disturbing circumstances surrounding their deaths, Emory and Harlow were two very young sisters whose lives had barely begun.

Their obituary describes Emory as joyful, lively and full of personality. She loved music, dancing and watching shows including Ms. Rachel and Bluey.

Harlow was remembered as a happy baby who loved giving kisses.

Their family described both girls as precious children who brought enormous joy to those around them.

A funeral service is scheduled for October 8 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.

QUESTIONS REMAIN

The case has raised difficult questions about how the warning signs were handled.

Why did relatives’ concerns not lead to the girls being seen more frequently?

Why did previous welfare checks not identify an immediate danger?

And could something have been done differently before September 29?

The father’s attorney has said the family believes the girls’ deaths could have been prevented and that relatives, neighbors and others had tried to get help.

Those questions will ultimately have to be examined by investigators and the courts.

For now, Justine May remains in custody and faces two homicide-by-child-abuse charges. The charges are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

But for Emory and Harlow’s relatives, the most painful part may be knowing that messages pleading for contact and help existed before the two little girls were found dead.

Their family now wants them remembered not only by the circumstances of their final days, but as two sisters who brought music, laughter and love into the lives of those who knew them.

EMORY AND HARLOW WERE TWO LITTLE GIRLS WHO SHOULD HAVE HAD THEIR WHOLE LIVES AHEAD OF THEM.