Remains found in a landfill on Friday, November 18, are believed to be those of 20-month-old Quinton Simon, who was reported missing back in October by his mother from their Savannah home, the New York Post reported.
Chatham County Police Chief Jeffrey Hadley said in a news conference that Quinton's mom, Leilani Simon, has been the sole suspect in this case. She was arrested on Monday, November 21, and is being held on charges of false reporting/making false statements, concealing a death, and malice murder.
Hadley said that the remains had been sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lab in Quantico, Virginia, to confirm that they were Quinton's. He added that this is a heartbreaking development for everyone who loved Quinton and for the many people who came to know him after his disappearance, and for their department.
Leilani Simon currently held in Chatham County Jail
Hadley said that when they first received the call that Quinton was missing, they were hopeful that they would find him alive and unharmed. But as they have been telling the people for weeks, all of their evidence pointed to his mother being responsible for his death and disappearance and his remains being found in the landfill.
Hadley was emotional when speaking of the arrest, saying she did not deserve a Thanksgiving. He held back tears when he said that it was Quinton who deserved that. Leilani is being held in the Chatham County jail as she awaits a bond hearing. It is unknown at the moment if she has secured an attorney.
Chatham County Police tweeted that Leilani Simon reported her son missing from their home on October 5, 2022. CNN previously reported that the mom told authorities she last saw her son in his playpen around 6 a.m. and reported Quinton missing more than three hours later.
Cops anticipate no other arrests in this murder case
He was reportedly last seen at the home in Savannah that Leilani shared with her boyfriend, her three-year-old son, and her mother, who had custody of both kids. Authorities have not released any additional information on how the child died or his mom's actions citing the still active investigation.
The Chatham County Police Department announced Leilani's arrest in a tweet, writing that this case deeply saddens them, but they are thankful that they are one step closer to justice for little Quinton. Cops added that they do not anticipate any other arrests concerning this case.
Millions of people have followed the case of Quinton ever since he was reported missing, and they have been awaiting answers, according to police. Leilani allegedly told dispatchers that she believed someone had taken Quinton from his playpen before 9 a.m. when the mom woke up to an open door. Police said that claim is false, with cops identifying Leilani as the one who killed Quinton, according to the Daily Mail.
