The hunt for a missing Georgia infant, considered dead by authorities, was redirected to a landfill near Savannah on Tuesday, where detectives prepared to begin sifting through trash for the child’s remains.
Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said investigators had evidence that spurred the landfill search for 20-month-old Quinton Simon’s body, but he would not reveal it.
“We believe he was thrown in a specific dumpster at a certain location, and it was transferred here by regular ways of disposal,” Hadley explained at a press briefing. “I am confident we will discover his remains here at the landfill.”
On Oct. 5, his mother contacted 911 to report that her son had gone missing from his playpen, and police began searching for him. Hadley confirmed Thursday that officers believe the youngster is dead after investigating the house and surrounding neighbourhood for more than a week.
He also listed Leilani Simon, the boy’s mother, as a suspect in her son’s death and disappearance. She has still not been apprehended or charged nearly a week later.
Hadley stated that his department and the FBI spent days planning and preparing personnel and equipment for the dump search.
“Just like everyone else, we want justice for Quinton, and we want to find his remains so we can give him a decent burial place,” the police chief stated.
Dozens of FBI agents were on hand to help police officers, according to Will Clarke, supervisory agent for the FBI’s Savannah satellite office.
Clarke stated that investigators concentrated their efforts in one landfill area, where debris will be deposited on a dedicated search deck for officials to dig through one pile at a time.
“This will not be easy or quick, and the outcome is unpredictable,” Clarke warned.
Leilani Simon did not have a registered phone number, and it was unclear Tuesday whether she had a lawyer who could speak on her behalf. According to court records, she represented herself in two civil cases filed since March involving her children’s custody and child support.
According to police reports and court documents, the child’s mother and grandmother, Billie Jo Howell, who had legal care of him and an older sibling, had a falling out in recent weeks. Howell housed Quinton, his mother, and his mother’s boyfriend.
According to a police report, Simon phoned the police on Sept. 7 after an argument with her mother over laundry, during which she said Howell threw her against a wall. No one was charged, and the only injury detected was Simon’s reddened elbow.
The next day, Quinton’s grandma filed proceedings in Chatham County Magistrate Court seeking the eviction of Simon and her boyfriend from her house.
A Superior Court judge ordered Leilani Simon to pay $150 per month in child support a few weeks later, on Sept. 28.
A week later, Quinton’s mother reported him missing.
When questioned why no arrests had been made, Hadley replied Tuesday, “We’re not ready to charge anyone yet.” “There is still work to be done. We still need to conduct an inquiry. We will not do anything that will jeopardize a future prosecution.
