Justine Marie May, 31, faces two counts of homicide by child abuse after her daughters were found dead inside the family’s home in Ladson, South Carolina, on Sept. 29. According to affidavits, May told investigators she could not remember the last time she fed or gave the children something to drink. The children were approximately 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old, the documents state. The sheriff’s office is conducting an internal review of its previous contacts with the family.
The allegations remain subject to court proceedings, and the charges do not constitute a conviction.
| 1) | Charges and deaths in Ladson |
| 2) | What investigators say May reported |
| 3) | Details from the welfare check |
| 4) | Prior contacts and agency review |
| 5) | Charges, custody and ongoing investigation |
Charges and deaths in Ladson
The two children died at the family’s home in Ladson, an area outside Charleston, on Sept. 29, according to court documents. Their mother, Justine Marie May, was arrested that day and faces a separate homicide-by-child-abuse charge for each child under South Carolina law.
The affidavits identify the girls as approximately 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old. Investigators allege that a lack of basic sustenance was a main contributor to the deaths and accuse May of showing extreme indifference to human life. The documents describe allegations rather than a final finding by a court.
What investigators say May reported
According to the affidavits, May told detectives that the previous two weeks had been a
“blur”
and that she could not recall when she last fed the children or gave them something to drink. She allegedly said she believed the children died because they did not eat.
The documents also state that May acknowledged failing to feed the children was neglectful. She reportedly told investigators she had been the only person in the home and the children’s sole caregiver during the weeks before their deaths.
Details from the welfare check
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to the residence for a welfare check. The affidavits say they encountered May outside the home crying and speaking incoherently before entering to check on the children.
Deputies then found both children dead inside the residence, according to the documents. The reported sequence of events led investigators to question May about the children’s care, their access to food and fluids, and the circumstances during the period before the welfare check.
Prior contacts and agency review
The sheriff’s office said deputies had separate contact with May and the children twice in August and three times in September. Officials said those encounters did not reveal obvious signs of concern, according to published reports.
The last reported contact while the children were alive occurred on Sept. 20. The sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards is reviewing the agency’s response, including its previous interactions with the family. The review is separate from the criminal investigation into the children’s deaths.
Charges, custody and ongoing investigation
Justine Marie May was booked into the Charleston County jail on Sept. 29. Online jail records indicated she remained in custody as of Friday and listed two homicide-by-child-abuse charges.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s Special Victims Unit and the Department of Child Fatalities are assisting with the investigation, according to published reports. Separate arrest warrants were issued for each child. The case remains under investigation while the internal review examines the agency’s earlier contacts with the family.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two young girls were found dead in a Ladson home on Sept. 29. |
| 2 | Their mother faces two homicide-by-child-abuse charges. |
| 3 | Affidavits say May could not recall when she last fed or gave the children fluids. |
| 4 | The sheriff’s office is reviewing prior contacts with the family. |
Summary
Court affidavits allege that the two children died after a period in which their mother failed to provide adequate food and fluids. The criminal case and the sheriff’s internal review are both ongoing. Further proceedings will determine the legal outcome of the charges and clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Justine Marie May face?
She faces two counts of homicide by child abuse, with a separate charge connected to each child.
Where did the children die?
The children were found dead inside their family’s home in Ladson, South Carolina, outside Charleston.
What agencies are involved in the investigation?
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, while the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s Special Victims Unit and the Department of Child Fatalities are assisting. The sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards is conducting a separate internal review.
