Police: Missing toddler likely dead, mother named as prime suspect

Missing toddler believed to be dead, according to Chatham Co. Police – WTOC

According to police, Quinton Simon, a 20-month-old Georgia boy who was reported missing one week ago, is presumed dead, and his mother is the prime suspect in the case, according to a statement released Wednesday night.

We regret to inform you that the Chatham County Police Department and the FBI have notified Quinton Simon’s family that we believe he has died, according to the statement released by the department.

As part of its investigation, the department named Leilani Simon, Quinton’s mother, as the primary suspect in the disappearance and death of her son. The 22-year-old reported Quinton missing last Wednesday at 9 a.m., three hours after he was last seen at his home, where he lived with his parents.

This was the home that Leilani shared with her boyfriend, Quinton, Quinton’s three-year-old brother, and her parents, who had custody of the two toddlers.

There have been no charges or arrests made against Leilani, according to police.

As of late Wednesday night, no further details had been released by police.

The Chatham County Police Department broke the news just hours after bringing search dogs to the family’s Savannah home as part of a “gathering and analysis of evidence” investigation.

Earlier this week, the police announced that the search for Quinton had turned into a criminal investigation.

According to Leilani, she told 911 that she believed that someone took her son from her home sometime before 9 a.m. on the day of the incident, when she awoke to find a door wide open.

At 5:30 a.m. that morning, however, she texted Quinton’s babysitter saying she would cancel that day’s plans.

According to Leilani’s mother, she did not know whether she could trust her daughter when she spoke with the police.

The mother of the victim, Billie Jo Howell, said about her daughter, “She has not always done the right thing.”.

Further information will be released at a press conference that will be held by the police on Thursday.

“We know that thousands of people around the world will be heartbroken by this news and we share your sorrow,” said the county police department in a statement.