LADSON, S.C. (WCSC) — The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has identified the two children found dead in a Ladson home on Tuesday.
Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal says that Emory Deacon, a 2-year-old female, and Harlow Deacon, a 15-month-old female, were found dead during a welfare check in the 3200 block of Pinewood Drive.
(L) Harlow Deacon, (M) Justine May, (R) Emory Deacon(Family/CCSO)
The cause of death for both children is starvation and dehydration due to neglect. The manner of death for both children is homicide.
“We believe these deaths could and should have been prevented,” said Gedney M. Howe IV, attorney for the girls’ father, Zack Deacon, in a statement to Live 5 News. “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. Seeking justice for Emory and Harlow is the most important thing to this family.”
Justine May, 31, who deputies described as the children’s “primary caregiver,” has since been charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse in the case, which the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office called “the most difficult call any department could face.”
According to a statement from the department, deputies have responded to numerous calls at the Pinewood Drive home since August.
The calls included welfare checks and visits coordinated with the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit.
MORE DETAILS: An arrest, social media concerns in weeks before 2 found dead in Ladson home
Authorities said deputies made contact with May and the children twice in August and three times in September, noting they observed no signs of concern during those visits.
Between Aug. 10 and Tuesday, calls regarding the residence resulted in CCSO responding 13 times.
Those responses included accompanying DSS on one visit and the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit on another.
The sheriff’s office said its most recent visit before the children were found occurred on Sept. 20, when deputies made contact only with May.
From dispatch logs obtained by Live 5 News, there was a verbal domestic call on Aug. 10, a “keep the peace” call on Aug. 11, a welfare check on Aug. 25, a follow-up on Aug. 27, and then another verbal domestic call 5 hours later that day.
There was also an “urgent” welfare check on Sept. 9, a welfare check on Sept. 22, and a follow-up Tuesday.
Just after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies and a DSS caseworker returned to the home for another welfare check.
When they arrived, May exited the house. Upon entering to check on the two children, officials found them dead inside.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards is conducting an internal review of the response.
The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division’s Special Victims Unit Department of Child Fatalities is assisting in the investigation.
Copyright 2026 WCSC. All rights reserved.