Body of Quinton Simon is missing and assumed dead
Police said during a press conference on Thursday that they believe 20-month-old Quinton Simon, who disappeared last week from his grandmother’s home in Savannah, Georgia, is dead.
Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said, “Our investigation over the last eight days has led us to the heartbreaking conclusion that 20-month-old Quinton Simon is deceased.”
The news of Quinton’s presumed death and the identification of his mother, Leilani Simon, as the key suspect was released by authorities on Wednesday night.
After a week of searching, Chatham County police and the FBI brought a squad of search dogs into Simon’s grandma Billie Jo Howell’s house. Leilani Simon and her partner shared the house.
Despite the fact that Leilani Simon was labeled the “primary suspect” in Quinton’s killing, police “had not made any arrest or filed any charges” as of Thursday afternoon.
Hadley emphasized that they would not press charges against Leilani Simon until they had “everything we need to.”
Hadley said that he is unsure of Leilani Simon’s whereabouts at the present, but that his agency does not think she poses a flight danger.
The search for Quinton, who has been missing since Oct. 5, was elevated to a criminal investigation on Monday.
Hadley claimed that even though they know Quinton is dead, they have not been able to locate the toddler’s body.
We have looked everywhere for Quinton since we got the 911 call about him being gone. Regrettably, we have not yet located Quinton. Hadley promised that the search and investigation into Quinton’s disappearance would go on, using “every available resource we have” to help bring closure to Quinton’s family and ensure that justice would be done.
Hadley refused to elaborate, citing concerns for the safety of the ongoing inquiry, when questioned more.
As of Thursday afternoon, no additional suspects were being considered for criminal prosecution.
