LADSON, SC (WCSC) — The Charleston County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday identified the two children found dead in a Ladson home.
Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal said 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.
The cause of death of both children was starvation and dehydration due to neglect. The manner of death of both children was homicide.
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 release from the department, deputies responded to numerous calls to the Pinewood Drive home since August.
The calls included welfare checks and coordinated visits with the South Carolina Department of Human Services and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit.
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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 13 responses from CCSO.
These responses included accompanying DSS on one visit and the mobile mental health crisis unit on another.
The sheriff’s office said his last visit before the children were found was Sept. 20, when officers only made contact with May.
According to dispatch logs obtained by Live 5 News, there was a verbal call to the home 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 call to the home 5 hours later that day.
There was also an “urgent” social control on September 9, a social control on September 22 and a follow-up on Tuesday.
Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, deputies and a DSS social worker returned to the home for another welfare check.
When they arrived, May left the house. Upon entering to check on the two children, officers found them dead inside.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards is currently conducting an internal review of the response.
The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division’s Child Fatality Unit, Special Victims Unit is assisting in the investigation.
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