The Chatham County Police Department announced Thursday that they believe missing Georgia toddler Quinton Simon is likely dead.
Police Chief Jeff Hadley said during a 1 p.m. presser that all evidence points to Quinton being deceased. His mother, Leilani Simon, is considered the primary suspect, although no formal charges have been filed and no arrests have been made.
“Sadly, we still have not found Quinton,” Hadley said. “But our search and investigation will continue, and it will continue with every available resource we have, in order to give Quinton’s family closure and see that justice is served in this case.”
Hadley didn’t divulge any information as to where they think the child’s body could be; he added that no additional information is available at this time, as it could compromise the integrity of the investigation.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 1-year-old Quinton was reported missing on October 5 by his mother, who said her boyfriend had seen him at about 6 a.m. in the family’s Savannah home. Later, when she woke up, Quinton was gone.
She made the 911 call shortly after 9:30 a.m., telling a dispatcher she found the door open although Quinton isn’t able to open the door.
“Thinks someone came in and took him,” the dispatcher told responding officers.
Police launched an extensive search of the area, calling in help from other nearby jurisdictions as well as the FBI.
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Quinton lived with his grandmother, Billie Jo Howell, in Savannah. Howell previously identified the child’s mother as her daughter and told ABC 22 that she was not sure if she trusts her or not.
“She hasn’t always done the right thing,” Billie Jo told ABC 22.
“Sometimes she does really great, sometimes she doesn’t. I don’t know what to think right now. I don’t know what to believe, because I don’t think anybody ever believes this is going to happen to them. I don’t know if I can trust her or I don’t. I just know I’m hurting and I want this baby home. He’s my baby.”
Babysitter Speaks out
Babysitter Diane McCarta previously told WSAV that she’s been taking care of Quinton and his little brother for around six months. She watches the children daily, she said, even when their mother isn’t working.
McCarta said she was supposed to babysit on October 5, but the family contacted her and told her that she wasn’t needed for the day. She found it odd that the plans were changed so quickly, then later found out the toddler had been reported missing.
“I got a text this morning saying they would not be here, would not be babysitting them at 5:29 [a.m.] Which was kind of odd because I have them even when she doesn’t work,” McCarta told WSAV.
“And then I get a text at 9 a.m. saying have I seen Quinton? I immediately go to their house. I try to help them look, they didn’t want that. So, I’ve been just waiting around like everyone else.”
The Chatham County Police Department said it had responded to the home twice in the past, but neither call was about a missing child. The department also said the disappearance doesn’t seem to be related to any custody dispute and that all parties are cooperating in the investigation.
Police told WSAV that the boy’s father has been ruled out because he was confirmed to be far away from the home at the time Quinton disappeared.
To Report Information on Quinton Simon
- Call 911 or submit a tip to the Chatham County Police Department’s Crime Tip at https://police.chathamcountyga.gov/Tips.
- Submit a tip through the CrimeStoppers online tip portal at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=757.
- A dedicated tipline has been established for the case at 912-667-3134.
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[Featured image: Facebook- Leilani Simon/Chatham County police – Quinton Simon]
