Bones found in landfill belong to missing Savannah toddler: FBI

Leilani Simon, 22, reported her 20-month-old son missing on Oct. 5.

November 28, 2022, 3:41 PM

Bones found in a Georgia landfill are confirmed to belong to missing Savannah, Georgia, toddler Quinton Simon, the FBI announced Monday.

The search for 20-month-old Quinton began on Oct. 5 when his mother, 22-year-old Leilani Simon, reported him missing. One week later, Chatham County police said they believed Quinton was dead and authorities named the boy's mother as the primary suspect.

PHOTO: Leilani Simon was arrested for the murder of her son, Quinton
Leilani Simon was arrested for the murder of her son, Quinton
Chatham County Police Dept.

On Oct. 18, police said they believed Quinton had been left in a dumpster, and authorities said a search was underway for his body in the local landfill.

Searchers spent 30 days scouring 1.2 million pounds of trash, police said.

PHOTO: Chatham County Police Department and FBI officers search for the remains of Quinton Simon at the Waste Management landfill in Chatham County, Ga.
Chatham County Police Department and FBI officers search for the remains of Quinton Simon at the Waste Management landfill in Chatham County, Ga.
Chatham County Police Department

On Nov. 21, police said remains had been recovered in the landfill and testing was underway to determine whether they belonged to Quinton.

Police also announced last week that Simon had been charged with malice murder, concealing the death of another person, false reporting and making false statements.