The Murder of Quinton Simon
On October 5, 2022, Quinton Simon, 20 months old, went missing from Buckhalter Road, Savannah, Georgia.
Quinton Simon
Quinton Simon, 1 year and 8 months old, lives in Savannah, Georgia, with his mother, Leilani, her boyfriend, her other son, and his grandparents. His grandparents, Billie Jo Howard and Thomas Howard, have legal custody of both of their grandchildren.
Background
On September 7, 2022, police were called to the Howard’s residence. Leilani stated there was a dispute with her mother but did not press charges. The following day Billie Howard filed paperwork to evict Leilani and Leilani’s boyfriend. Leilani was served with the eviction notice on September 26, 2022.
On September 28, 2022, a judge ordered Leilani to pay child support to her parents for both of her children. A few days later, Quinton would go missing.
Missing
Quinton Simon was last seen around 6:00 a.m. on October 5, 2022. He was reported missing around 9:00 a.m. Quinton was last seen wearing a light blue Sesame Street shirt with black pants.
The morning Quinton disappeared, his babysitter, Diana McCarta, told the NY Post she had received a text from Leilani, Quinton’s mom, around 5:29 a.m. The text stated she didn’t need to babysit Quinton and his brother, as was planned. Around 9:00 a.m., she received another text asking if she had seen Quinton. Diana went over to the house and offering her help, but it was declined, according to the NY Post article.
Investigation
Quinton was reported missing around 9:00 a.m. Police immediately launched a search for Quinton. They shut down nearby streets, used helicopters with heat seeking radar, and searched a nearby pond. In a tweet, the Chatham County Police Department stated they were working 18-20 hours a day, trying to find Quinton. The FBI has also been aiding the investigation.
Police executed a search warrant for the Howard’s residence. They also drained the family pool.
On October 11, 2022, the Chatham County Police Department announced they had seized evidence they believe will help their investigation. They did not clarify what the evidence was specifically.
Remains Found
On October 12, 2022, Chatham County Police announced they believed Quinton was dead and his mother was the prime suspect in his murder.
Investigators announced they believed Quinton was dumped in a garbage which was brought to a landfill. They have been looking through the landfill for weeks. They sifted through 1.2 million pounds of trash over thirty days before finding the remains.
On November 18, 2022, remains were found in the Waste Management Landfill site. Tests will be conducted to ensure the remains are human.
Arrest
On November 21, 2022, Leilani Simon was arrested and charged with malice murder, concealing the death of another person, false reporting, and making false statements. She is being held in Chatham County Detention Center.
Leilani Simon entered a plea of not guilty on November 23, 2022. A judge denied her bound. She will remain in prison while court proceedings continue.
