Mother charged in connection with disappearance, death of son in Georgia

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A mother has been charged in connection with the disappearance and death of her son in Georgia, officials say.

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According to a news release from the Chatham County Police Department, Leilani Simon, 22, has been charged with malice murder, concealing the death of another person, false reporting, and making false statements in connection with the disappearance and death of her 20-month-old son, Quinton Simon.

CCPD said on Friday, law enforcement searchers found what they believed to be human remains at a Waste Management Landfill site. Preliminary confirmation was made that the remains were human Monday afternoon, after tests were performed at the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia. CCPD said further testing is taking place that includes DNA evidence to confirm that the remains are human and whether they are Quinton’s.

According to WSB-TV, Quinton vanished from his house in the Savannah, Georgia, area on Oct. 5. Police believed that his body was possibly dumped in a dumpster and taken to a nearby landfill.

On Oct. 12, CCPD said that they believed Quinton was deceased and his mother was their prime suspect. Days later on Oct. 18, CCPD and the FBI announced that they had evidence to believe that the remains were at the Waste Management Landfill located in Chatham County, according to CCPD.

“The FBI’s expertise was instrumental in solving this case and locating Quinton,” said Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley. “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.”

CCPD said that the landfill search was possible because of the Chatham County Police Department, and FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Savannah Police Department, Savannah Fire Department, Chatham Emergency Services, Chatham Emergency Management Agency and Chatham County Occupational Safety.

“I would like to thank the many people who showed their support for our department during this incredibly difficult and important investigation. 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,” said Hadley.

Simon is waiting for a bond hearing, according to CCPD.

No further information has been released.

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