A Georgia mother who reported her 20-month-old son missing last month was arrested Monday and charged with his murder, according to the Chatham County Police Department.
Leilani Maree Simon, 22, reported her son missing from the family’s home Oct. 5, police said. Authorities launched an extensive search to find the toddler, whose story made national headlines.
“Since that time, millions of people have followed Quinton’s case and have been awaiting answers,” police posted on social media Monday afternoon.
The mother was also charged with concealing the death of another and making false statements, both felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of false report of a crime, Chatham jail records show.
Leilani Simon was taken into custody a short time ago, and is being transported to the Chatham County Detention Center where she will be held while she awaits a bond hearing. We do not anticipate any other arrests in connection with this case.
— Chatham County Police Department (@ChathamCountyPD) November 21, 2022
Later Monday, police Chief Jeff Hadley said investigators believe remains found Friday at a landfill could belong to Quinton. Monday afternoon, tests conducted at the FBI lab in Virginia provided preliminary confirmation that the remains are that of a human.
“The FBI’s expertise was instrumental in solving this case and locating Quinton,” Hadley said in a statement. “They are the undisputed experts in missing child cases, and they were with us at every turn in our investigation. Their expertise, manpower and resources are unmatched and we are tremendously grateful for the FBI’s assistance.”
Within a week of the boy’s disappearance, investigators said they believed he was dead and that his mother was the primary suspect. Investigators said Monday no other arrests are anticipated in the case.
According to the Savannah Morning News, the toddler and his older sibling were in the custody of their grandmother, Billie Jo Howell. She filed a dispossessory notice with the Chatham County Magistrate Court in early September to evict Leilani Simon and her boyfriend from her home.
For several weeks, investigators had searched the landfill, combing through 1.2 million pounds of trash.
“The working conditions were grueling and hazardous, and searchers knew that the chances of finding Quinton were low,” Chatham police said. “Historically, the FBI says landfill searches are only successful 5 percent of the time.”
In addition to the FBI, the GBI, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Chatham County Sheriff’s Office are assisting with the investigation. The Savannah Police Department, Savannah Fire Department, Chatham Emergency Services, Chatham Emergency Management Agency and Chatham County Occupational Safety all provided support services, Hadley said.
Hadley praised his officers and their dedication to the case, along with all of the agencies that assisted with the investigation. Hadley also thanked the public.
“I would like to thank the many people who showed their support for our department during this incredibly difficult and important investigation,” he said. “We appreciate those who kept their faith in the system, who kept their faith in us and our investigative process, and for those who waited patiently for the evidence we needed to make sure Quinton has every opportunity to receive the justice he deserves.”
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