Ladson, South Carolina — The father of two young girls who allegedly died from starvation while in their mother’s care is speaking out about the devastating loss, saying he believes their deaths could have been prevented after family members and others reportedly tried to get help.
Fifteen-month-old Harlow Deacon and 2-year-old Emory Deacon were found dead inside their Ladson home on Tuesday, Sept. 29, when police conducted a welfare check.
Their mother, 31-year-old Justine May, has since been arrested and charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse. According to an affidavit, May appeared “incoherent” when officers arrived at the residence.
A coroner ruled that the two children died from starvation.
Father Says He Tried to Get Help
The children’s father, Zack Deacon, released a statement through his attorney, Gedney M. Howe IV, following the deaths.
“We believe these deaths could and should have been prevented,” Zack said through his attorney, according to a local news outlet. “Neighbors, friends, and family all called trying to get help for these girls, and no one listened.”
Zack had apparently attempted to contact May in the days before the children were discovered, according to screenshots of text conversations that May shared on social media.
In those messages, Zack appeared to be pleading with May to get help while also reminding her that she had previously been a good mother.
May accused Zack and her own mother of harassing her, according to the screenshots.
Grandmother Also Raised Concerns
May’s mother had also expressed concerns about the safety of the two girls.
In an email screenshot shared online by May, her mother referenced the case of Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy, who is charged with murder in connection with the deaths of her three children.
“This has been the fresh hell your family has been living every day that you don’t communicate or let us see the girls,” May’s mother wrote, according to the screenshot. “Would Justine do this? No. Would this dark entity that is behind Justine’s eyes do this? This haunts my worst nightmares.”
The message indicates that relatives were deeply concerned about what might happen to the children before they were ultimately found dead.
The circumstances surrounding those earlier concerns remain part of the broader investigation.
Mother Allegedly Said She Was in a “Blur”
Following her arrest, May allegedly told investigators that she had been in a “blur” during the two weeks before the children’s deaths.
According to the affidavit, she said she could not remember when she had last fed the girls. Authorities have not indicated that the children had any other cause of death beyond the coroner’s finding of starvation.
May is now facing two counts of homicide by child abuse, one charge for each child.
It was not immediately clear from online court records whether May had entered pleas in the case or retained an attorney who could speak publicly on her behalf.
Community Mourns the Two Children
The deaths of Harlow and Emory have left their family and community facing difficult questions about whether earlier intervention could have changed what happened.
Their father has said that people close to the family were attempting to raise concerns before the welfare check that led police to discover the children.
His statement focuses on the belief that the tragedy might have been avoided if those concerns had received a response. At this stage, the criminal case against May remains ongoing, and the allegations against her have not been proven in court.
The investigation and court proceedings are expected to provide more information about the children’s final days, the family’s earlier concerns and what authorities knew before the welfare check.
Investigation Continues After Children’s Deaths
The case has drawn attention to the importance of recognizing signs that a child may be in danger and seeking immediate help when serious concerns arise.
Anyone facing an immediate threat to a child’s safety should contact emergency services or the appropriate child-protection authorities.
For people experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress or substance-use problems, help is also available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
The loss of two very young children has left their father, relatives and others close to the family grieving as the legal case moves forward.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case? Share your condolences for Harlow and Emory’s loved ones and join the conversation respectfully in the comments.
