Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Faces Criticism Over Transparency Following Sisters’ Deaths

Two young sisters in Ladson died from starvation and dehydration due to neglect, according to the Charleston County Coroner’s Office, prompting mounting public scrutiny over the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office response to prior welfare checks at the home.

Justine May faces homicide by child abuse charges

Deputies with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Ladson residence at 1:17 p.m. on September 29. Five hours later, the agency issued a public statement confirming two deceased individuals were found and that no arrests had been made at that time. Records show Justine May was booked into the Charleston County Jail just 19 minutes after that initial release. Court records subsequently confirmed May faced two counts of homicide by child abuse the following morning.

Despite the arrests and the nature of the case, leadership under Sheriff Carl Ritchie declined to hold a press conference or sit down for interviews. The sheriff’s office did not officially confirm the deceased individuals were children until Thursday afternoon, and officials declined to state whether the victims were May’s children. South Carolina American Civil Liberties Union Communications Director Paul Bowers criticized the lack of communication.

This is something that demands clear answers and clear communication, and we just haven’t seen that from the sheriff’s office yet, Bowers told live5news.com. People in Charleston County are right to demand answers in this case, and in any case where the sheriff is ducking and trying to hide.

Sheriff's office stopped conducting welfare checks at home

Records indicate the sheriff’s office responded to 13 calls at the Ladson home between August 10 and the day the sisters were found. During one radio transmission, a deputy stated, We’re no longer conducting welfare checks at that address.

The sheriff’s office released a statement over the weekend asserting that the deputy who made the transmission followed supervisory direction and adhered to established policies. Deputies have not disclosed the nature of that supervisory direction or identified a specific policy governing the decision to halt welfare checks.

Sheriff Ritchie avoids interviews despite transparency campaign

The information delays surrounding the Ladson deaths mirror prior communication issues under Sheriff Ritchie, who took office in January 2025 after running a campaign centered on transparency and accountability. During his 2024 campaign, Ritchie told live5news.com, Charleston County deserves accountability and transparency from its Sheriff. We need change.

Since taking office, Ritchie has not participated in a one-on-one interview with live5news.com, relying instead on blanket statements. Administrative changes under his leadership include a 72-hour waiting period for the Al Cannon Detention Center to post inmate booking photos and arrest information. The detention facility has also recorded five inmate deaths since January 2025.

He’s there to uphold public safety, and when his office falls short in that mission, he needs to be the one to answer; he is where the buck stops, Bowers said. So an answer saying, ‘I stand behind my officers,’ doesn’t cut it.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ladson Investigation

What charges does Justine May face?

Court records confirm Justine May was charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse following the discovery of Emory and Harlow Deacon.

When did the Charleston County Coroner estimate the girls died?

Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal estimated that Emory and Harlow Deacon died three to five days before deputies found them on September 29.

How many times did deputies visit the Ladson home prior to the deaths?

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office responded to 13 calls referencing the Ladson home between August 10 and September 29.

What did the sheriff’s office say about the welfare check transmissions?

The agency released a statement saying the deputy who announced that welfare checks would no longer be conducted at the address was following supervisory direction and established policies, though officials have not specified what those policies were.