South Carolina mother charged after two toddlers found dead from neglect, authorities say

The short version

• Justine Marie May was charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse after deputies discovered her two young daughters dead at their Ladson home on Sept. 29.[Fox News]
• Court affidavits state May was the sole caregiver and could not recall when she last provided food or water, acknowledging her failure to feed them was neglectful.[Fox News]
• Sheriff's deputies had visited the household multiple times in August and September without identifying apparent warning signs prior to their final live visit on Sept. 20.[Fox News]
• May was booked into the Charleston County jail on Sept. 29 and remained detained as proceedings move forward.[Fox News]

Key facts

• Justine Marie May faces two counts of homicide by child abuse following the Sept. 29 deaths of her daughters, aged roughly 1.5 and 2.5, in Ladson, South Carolina.[Fox News]
• Deputies conducting a welfare check encountered May crying and speaking incoherently before locating both children dead inside the residence.[Fox News]
• May admitted to detectives that she served as the sole caregiver and could not recall the last time she fed or provided water to the children over a two-week blur.[Fox News]
• Investigators claimed May displayed extreme indifference to human life by withholding food and water, which they alleged was a main contributor to the deaths.[Fox News]
• Deputies contacted the household twice in August and three times in September, noting no obvious concerns during those visits, with the last contact occurring Sept. 20.[Fox News]
• May was booked into the Charleston County jail on Sept. 29 and remained detained on the two homicide charges.[Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• South Carolina mom couldn't remember last time she fed 2 daughters before they were found dead: affidavitFox News - US News