What happened to 20-month-old Quinton Simon? The case against Leilani Simon, explained

On the morning of October 5, 2022, a heart-wrenching story began to unfold in Savannah, Georgia. Twenty-month-old Quinton Simon was reported missing by his mother, 24-year-old Leilani Maree Simon. Leilani, who wasn’t even the child’s legal guardian, quickly became the main focus of the investigation into her toddler’s tragic disappearance and, ultimately, his untimely death.

A Betrayal Beyond Words

It’s one thing to hear about harm coming to a child, but it’s a different level of horror when the perpetrator is the person meant to protect and nurture them. A parent is supposed to be a child’s safe haven, someone they trust without question. For that trust to be shattered in the most brutal way imaginable is a betrayal that defies understanding.

A Devastating Discovery

Leilani and her boyfriend, Daniel Youngkin, dialed 911 that October morning, claiming Quinton was missing. Leilani tearfully explained that she woke up to find the front door open and her son gone from his playpen. Oddly, Daniel stated he had seen Quinton earlier that morning before leaving for work, though this would later be dismissed in court as a misremembered detail. Tragically, prosecutors argued that by the time Daniel thought he’d seen Quinton, the toddler had already been killed and discarded.

The community rallied in search of the little boy, but Leilani did not join the efforts. Just a week after Quinton was reported missing, police publicly announced that they believed he was no longer alive, and Leilani was named their prime suspect. Days later, investigators revealed their grim theory: Quinton’s body had likely been thrown in a dumpster. After a painstaking 30-day search through a landfill, skeletal remains confirmed to be Quinton’s were found. Leilani was arrested on November 21, 2022, and formally indicted on December 14.

A Troubled Past and a Shocking Crime

Leilani’s background painted a troubling picture. Already facing felony larceny charges in North Carolina, she lived with her mother, Billie Jo Howell, who had custody of Quinton and his siblings. A week before Quinton’s death, Leilani was ordered to start paying child support, further straining her already chaotic life. On the night of October 4, Leilani allegedly met with her drug dealer, a man she had a history of sexual involvement with, though her attempts to see him that night were unsuccessful. In court, it was revealed she lied about the purpose of this meeting, claiming it was to settle a debt, and downplayed the severity of her drug use.

Testimony exposed the dark reality of Leilani’s life: regular cocaine use, anger issues, and an unhealthy need for male attention. Prosecutors argued that her drug-fueled rage on October 5 led to Quinton’s death. While the exact cause of the toddler’s death could not be determined due to the condition of his remains, the indictment accused Leilani of deliberate and malicious intent, causing “cruel and excessive pain” to her son.

A Trial Filled With Lies

Leilani’s trial revealed her repeated efforts to mislead investigators. Among her fabrications was a false alibi for why she visited the Azalea Mobile Home Plaza, where she ultimately dumped Quinton’s body in a dumpster. Though she later admitted to leaving something there, she claimed it was merely household trash. In an earlier interview with the media, she vowed to turn herself in if evidence pointed to her guilt—a promise she never honored.

Even Leilani’s mother, Billie Jo, admitted during her testimony that her daughter refused to take responsibility for Quinton’s death, only acknowledging her struggles with drugs. Billie Jo, while asking the court to show leniency, blamed her own substance abuse for contributing to Leilani’s downward spiral.

The Verdict and Sentence

Leilani’s trial began on October 9, 2024, and after eight days of testimony and 34 witnesses, the jury delivered their verdict on October 25: guilty on all counts. The judge sentenced her to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years, plus an additional 10 years. This means that, barring a successful appeal, Leilani will spend decades behind bars and won’t be eligible for parole until she is in her 60s.

Quinton Simon’s tragic story is a chilling reminder of the worst betrayal imaginable—a child losing their life at the hands of the very person meant to protect them. The justice system has held Leilani Simon accountable, but for many, no sentence can undo the heartbreak of a life lost far too soon.