Leilani Simon charged with murder in son Quinton’s death

The mother of the slain Georgia toddler, Quinton Simon, has been charged with murder along with a number of other criminal charges, local prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Leilani Simon faces 19 counts in the tragic death of her two-year-old son, Chatham District Attorney Shalena Cook-Jones said. The charges include one count of malicious murder, two counts of felony murder and one count of covering up the death of another.

Other charges stem from alleged false statements made by Leilani Simon, 22, to authorities.

“As your prosecutor, I realize that this matter is really important to our community and also to the investigative minds here and outside our community who want to know what happened to baby Quinton and how it happened,” she said during a press conference.

“That curiosity is not lost on me, but there is more evidence that may be uncovered as this investigation progresses, and I say this to remind you all that this is an ongoing criminal investigation.”

The mother of the slain toddler was arrested last month and charged by police after the boy’s remains were found in a rubbish dump in the area. She was previously suspected by authorities as the person responsible for Simon’s disappearance before his body was found.

Quinton Simon was reported missing by his mother on October 5. He was last reportedly seen at the Savannah home where Leilani Simon, her boyfriend, her 3-year-old son and her mother – who had custody of both children – lived.

Quinton Simon’s grandmother, Billie Jo Howell, was arrested this week for contempt of court, which appeared separate from the tot’s death. Records from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office show that she was booked into the county jail on Monday.

Police previously said they do not expect to arrest anyone else in connection with the murder.

Jones promised that her office would use all resources to ensure the case was “handled properly from start to finish.”

“We all know justice takes time, but it should be quick, safe and fair,” Jones said.

Leilani Simon previously denied being involved in her child’s disappearance and said in a TV interview in late October that she wanted baby Quinton to be found “happy and alive”.