Missing Toddler Quinton Simon Believed To Be Dead, Mother is Now "Prime Suspect"

Officers with the Chatham County Police Department in Georgia announced Wednesday night that they believe missing 20-month-old Quinton Simon has died. Officers have named Quinton’s mother, Leilani Simon, as their “prime suspect” in his disappearance and death. As of Thursday afternoon, no arrests have been made.

On Tuesday, police found seized evidence which they believe will “bring closure” to Quinton’s case. It has not been specified what kind of evidence they found, nor have they spoke to media following their statements.

Quinton was last seen at about 6 a.m. at his home on Buckhalter Road in Savannah, Georgia on October 5. Simon allegedly texted one of Quinton’s babysitters, Diana McCarta saying she didn’t need to watch him. At about 9:30 a.m., she began receiving frantic texts from Billie Howell, Simon’s mother, asking if she had seen Quinton.

Multiple police bureaus including the Chatham County Police, Savannah Police mounted patrol, the FBI, a Liberty County Sheriff's Office K-9 team and a Mosquito Control helicopter assisted in early searches. In a statement, police revealed that some detectives were working 18-20 hour days in their search for Quinton.

In an interview on NewsNation ‘Rush Hour’ program, Thomas Howell stated that “She’s lied to us before so many times. I don’t know. It’s bad to say, but she just likes to lie.” Thomas and Billie Howell have full custody of Quinton according to court documents obtained by WJCL. Simon reportedly has a history of drug abuse and a history of stealing and using money to buy drugs.

The Howells, Simon, and Simon’s boyfriend live together alongside three children. Howell filed to have his daughter and her boyfriend evicted from their house in early September.

Local authorities are continuing to search through pipes, pools, and draining local ponds. Police have already searched the family’s home.

Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley will hold a media briefing tomorrow, October 14, at an unspecified time according to a Facebook page made by the police department.