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Mother Charged With Homicide After Starvation Deaths

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 4:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

May Charged Homicide

Justine Marie May, 31, was charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse.
Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal determined the girls died from starvation and dehydration.
Police discovered Emory Deacon, 33 months old, and Harlow Deacon, 15 months old, dead during a Sept. 29 welfare check.
May remains held without bond at Al Cannon Detention Center, with appearances set for Nov. 20, 2026, and March 19, 2027.

Summary

Deputies Find Tragedy

Deputies responded to Pinewood Drive home 13 times between Aug. 10 and Sept. 29, including DSS and a mental-health crisis unit.
The sheriff’s office called the case the most difficult call any department could face.
During the Sept. 29 welfare check, May left the house before deputies entered and discovered the children’s bodies.
A Department of Social Services caseworker accompanied deputies on the final welfare check while a professional-standards review began.

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May Charged Homicide

Justine Marie May, 31, was charged with two counts of homicide by child abuse.
Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal determined the girls died from starvation and dehydration.
Police discovered Emory Deacon, 33 months old, and Harlow Deacon, 15 months old, dead during a Sept. 29 welfare check.
May remains held without bond at Al Cannon Detention Center, with appearances set for Nov. 20, 2026, and March 19, 2027.

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