BODYCAM FOOTAGE RAISES QUESTIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA CHILD DEATH CASE

Newly released police bodycam footage provides a closer look at the welfare checks conducted at the Ladson, South Carolina home of Justine May prior to the tragic deaths of her daughters, two-year-old Emory Deacon and 15-month-old Harlow Deacon. Recordings from August 30 show deputies and social services entering a tidy house, where May spoke openly and both children were seen alive and seemingly well. A second visit on September 12 recorded May expressing frustration over repeated calls from family, which she characterized as harassment.

Despite receiving 21 calls and responding 13 times between August 10 and September 29, authorities ultimately stopped conducting checks. Radio logs reveal a supervisor decided to discontinue visits on September 22, citing prior evaluations and a lack of new evidence. One week later, on September 29, deputies returned to find both toddlers deceased inside the home. May later admitted to being in a two-week blur and forgetting when she last fed her children. The coroner confirmed both girls died from severe neglect, starvation, and dehydration three to five days prior to being found.

May currently faces two counts of homicide by child abuse. Following the release of the footage, the girls’ father and surviving family members are demanding an independent investigation into law enforcement’s decision-making process. While the sheriff’s office maintains deputies followed proper protocol, the tragic outcome highlights potential gaps in handling repeated welfare concerns for young children.