Bones found in Georgia landfill confirmed to be those of missing 20-month-old Quinton Simon

On November 28, the FBI in Atlanta reported the heartbreaking news that skeletal remains recovered in Georgia’s Superior Landfill were confirmed to be those of missing 20-month-old Quinton Simon.  The bones were discovered 10 tens ago – and federal authorities in Quantico confirmed they were the toddler’s through DNA analysis.

Georgia’s Chatham County Police Department arrested 22-year-old Leilani Simon and charged her with malice murder, concealing the death of another person, false reporting, and making false statements in connection with the disappearance and death of her son, Quinton.

“Quinton always gave everyone love and hugged their legs. Every time he did something he was proud of, he would come to whoever was close by and ask for “boom”, which was a little fist bump.”

Quinton’s obituary is up. No date has been set for the funeral, but it won’t be public. pic.twitter.com/46wALCgqR3

— Shea Schrader WTOC (@sheaschrader) November 28, 2022

The child’s remains were found on November 18 by searchers going through the Waste Management Landfill site. On November 23, a public defender for Leilani pleaded not guilty to the murder charges on her behalf, according to a report by The New York Post.  She is still in jail after being denied bond.

Leilani reported that Quinton was missing from their home back on October 5.  By October 12, the Chatham County Police Department announced that Quinton was believed to be deceased and his mother was the prime suspect. On October 18, the Chatham County Police Department and FBI announced that evidence led them to believe that Quinton’s remains were at the Waste Management Landfill in Chatham County, and a massive search began to try to locate them.

During the landfill search, law enforcement officers combed through 1.2 million pounds of trash over a thirty-day period. Police described the working conditions as “grueling and hazardous, and searchers knew that the chances of finding Quinton were low.” Historically, the FBI says landfill searches are only successful five percent of the time.

“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.”

Agencies involved in the landfill search included Chatham County Police Department the FBI, 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.

The case against Leilani is now in the hands of the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office.

(Sources: FBI and Chatham County Police Department)
(Quinton Simon cover photo credit: Chatham County Police Department)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter