What happened to 20-month-old Quinton Simon?

The case of Quinton Simon, a 20-month-old toddler who went missing in Savannah, Georgia, in October 2022, has garnered significant media attention and sparked public outrage due to the heartbreaking details surrounding his disappearance and subsequent discovery. Quinton’s mother, Leilani Maree Simon, quickly became the primary suspect in the case, which ultimately led to her being indicted on multiple charges.

Timeline of Events

• October 5, 2022: Leilani Simon and her partner, Daniel Youngkin, reported Quinton missing, claiming he vanished from his playpen. Leilani stated that she found the front door open when she woke up, but inconsistencies in their statements soon raised suspicion.
• Search Efforts: Within a week, police believed Quinton was deceased and identified Leilani as the prime suspect. Investigators later determined that Quinton’s body had been disposed of in a dumpster, leading to extensive searches in a landfill.
• Discovery of Remains: After 30 days of searching, skeletal remains identified as Quinton’s were found, confirming the worst fears of authorities and the community.

Leilani Simon’s Background

Prior to this incident, Leilani Simon had a troubled past, including a felony larceny charge. Her mother had custody of Quinton and his siblings, although they lived in the same house. Just days before Quinton’s disappearance, Leilani was ordered to start paying child support.

During the investigation, it emerged that Leilani had been involved with drugs, specifically cocaine and cannabis. On the night leading up to Quinton’s disappearance, she had attempted to meet with a drug dealer, a move that seemed to coincide with the timeline of her son’s death. Prosecutors accused her of having “malice of forethought” in Quinton’s death, stating that she caused “cruel and excessive pain.”

The trial began in October 2024, featuring 34 witnesses and eight days of testimony. Leilani was found guilty on all counts on October 25, 2024. Most of the charges were related to the lies she told investigators, attempting to fabricate an alibi for her actions.

As the legal proceedings move forward, the judge will consider aggravating and mitigating circumstances to determine Leilani Simon’s sentence. This tragic case serves as a painful reminder of the responsibility caregivers hold and the devastating consequences when that trust is broken.