The attorney representing the father of two young girls found dead in Ladson said their deaths could and should have been prevented.
Emory and Harlow Deacon died from starvation and dehydration, and the Charleston County Coroner's Office ruled the deaths homicides caused by severe neglect.
Authorities arrested 31-year-old Justine May of Ladson on September 30 and charged her with two counts of homicide by child neglect.
Prior Requests for Help Went Unheeded
Gedney M.
Howe IV, the attorney for the girls' father, Zack Deacon, said family members, friends, neighbors, and May's own parents had repeatedly tried to get help for the children before the tragedy.
"We believe these deaths could and should have been prevented," Howe said in a statement released on behalf of the father.
Howe added that neighbors, friends, and family all called trying to get help for the girls, but no one listened.
He also said Zack Deacon was sounding the alarm and was arrested for it.
"Seeking justice for Emory and Harlow is the most important thing to this family," Howe said.
The statement from the Law Offices of Gedney M. Howe, IV noted that the Deacon family is grieving and focusing on mutual support.
The family is also actively participating in the ongoing criminal investigation and plans to meet with investigators and prosecutors.
They have requested privacy during this time.
