Mother of Missing Toddler Quinton Simon Arrested In Connection With His Murder

The Chatham County Police Department announced Monday the arrest of Leilani Simon, 22, in the murder of her 20-month-old son Quinton Simon following the discovery of remains police believe belong to Quinton.

Simon reported Quinton missing at about 9 a.m. on October 5. Seven days later, Chatham County Police announced that Simon was their prime suspect and they believed Quinton to be deceased.

On October 18, the Chatham County Police Department and FBI announced that evidence led them to believe Quinton’s remains were potentially at the Waste Management Landfill in Chatham County.

Following a month-long investigation at the landfill, on November 18 police announced they found remains that they believe are Quinton’s. The remains were sent to an FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, to prove they are human and belong to Quinton, according to WSB-TV.

Chatham County Police Chief Jeffrey Hadley said in an emotional press conference Monday that "We have a high level of confidence that those are Quinton's remains.” As he continued, he stated that the discovery of the remains is a “heartbreaking development for everyone who loved Quinton, for the many people who came to know him after his disappearance, and for our department.”

Simon was arrested Monday and is being held in the Chatham County Jail on charges of malice murder, concealing a death, and false reporting/making false statements.

Authorities have not released information regarding how Quinton died or Simon’s role in her son’s death, citing the active investigation.