Warnings Mounted Before Two Toddlers Died

crime scene tape in foreground with covered body in background — Photo: Wulle / Shutterstock

Two toddlers died from starvation and dehydration after 13 welfare checks and agency visits failed to stop it, officials say.

Story Snapshot

The coroner ruled both deaths homicides caused by starvation and dehydration due to neglect.
Deputies and caseworkers visited the home multiple times in the weeks before the deaths.
An affidavit says the mother admitted not feeding the girls and knew that was neglect.
A 911 request and family pleas show repeated warnings before the final check.

What Authorities Say Happened

Charleston County officials said a one-year-old and a two-year-old were found dead in a Ladson home during a welfare check on September 29. The Charleston County coroner ruled the cause of death as starvation and dehydration due to neglect and the manner as homicide for both children. Deputies reported that this check included the family’s Department of Social Services caseworker. Investigators arrested the mother, Justine May, on two counts of homicide by child abuse tied to alleged failure to provide food and water.

Court documents quoted by local outlets say May told detectives she could not remember the last time she fed or gave her daughters water. The affidavit says she believed they died because they did not eat and that she understood not feeding them was neglectful. South Carolina law defines homicide by child abuse to include deaths from neglect that show extreme indifference to human life. That is why prosecutors often charge starvation cases under an omission theory.

Weeks of Calls, Checks, and Missed Chances

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said it received 21 calls about the Pinewood Drive residence starting August 10 and that deputies responded 13 times. Officers made contact with May and the children on several dates in late August and mid-September. The Sheriff’s Office stated deputies observed no signs of concern during those visits. The September 29 discovery came during a welfare check that included the Department of Social Services caseworker, who was already involved with the family.

Public records and reporting show a steady stream of warnings from relatives and acquaintances in the weeks before the deaths. A released 911 call from a concerned acquaintance led to one of the checks that month. Family members told reporters they had called authorities and the Department of Social Services about the mother’s mental state and the children’s safety. Social media posts shared by May showed relatives begging her to get help and to let them see the girls.

Why This Case Hits a National Nerve

This case strikes people across the political spectrum because it shows the system at the door, again and again, with a tragic result anyway. Many see a pattern where agencies are overwhelmed, rules are rigid, and accountability is thin. Officials say deputies saw no clear danger on prior visits. Families say the red flags were obvious. Both can be true when policies split responsibility across many hands and no one person owns the outcome.

Ladson, South Carolina: Mother could not remember the last time she fed her 2 and 1-year old children, who were found dead in her home

Justine May, 31, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse. -Law&Crime pic.twitter.com/YNShXSpqYN

— ˶˃ News Reader Cat 📰🗞️NO DMs˂˶ (@typocatCAv2) October 5, 2026

South Carolina’s child-death data show that caregiver abuse or neglect often appears in the youngest victims, and lawmakers have debated changes to homicide by child abuse statutes. The law already covers deaths caused by failing to provide food, shelter, or health care, which fits the charges here. Still, the public rarely sees full case files due to privacy rules. That limits outside review of who knew what, and when, and whether a stronger response was possible before the final call.

What We Still Do Not Know

Officials have not released full autopsy details, including weights, lab results, and timeline estimates of deprivation. The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing, which can delay records. It is also not clear from public documents exactly what each deputy, social worker, or crisis responder observed inside the home on every visit. Those limits make it hard to judge if warning signs were present but missed, or if key indicators were not visible at the time.

What To Watch Next

Key records could answer the biggest questions. The full probable-cause affidavit and warrants would show the evidence behind the alleged admissions and timeline. Autopsy and toxicology packets could confirm how long the girls went without food and water. Dispatch logs, body-camera video, and Department of Social Services notes could clarify what responders saw. Those documents, if released, would help the public weigh personal responsibility against institutional failure in a case already under a harsh spotlight.